Savory and traditional layered lasagna crowned with creamy stracciatella burrata, zesty capers, olives and fragrant basil.
FEATURED STANDOUTS
Lasagna Noodles
Thin sheets of pasta made from a mixture of flour, water, and eggs. They are a key component of lasagna, providing a firm base for the layers of filling and cheese. Use your preferred brand.
Burrata Filling “Stracciatella”
Burrata is a creamy and soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a delicate flavor and a slightly chewy texture. For the lasagna, stracciatella, refers to the shredded interior part of the burrata mozzarella’s interior that is soaked in heavy cream, the cool and rich cheese is the perfect topper to the lasagna.
Crushed Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes that have been crushed or pureed. They add a tangy and acidic flavor to the lasagna, balancing out the richness of the cheese and meat. I prefer to use a better quality canned tomato so that i can just add it straight to the dish.
Fresh Basil
Basil has a slightly sweet and peppery flavor that compliments the other ingredients in the lasagna. Parsley and oregano are also great earthy additions.
Ground Sausage
Pork sausage that has been ground into small pieces. It adds a savory and meaty flavor to the lasagna.
Ricotta Cheese
A soft and creamy cheese made from sheep’s or cow’s milk. It has a mild salty flavor and a slightly grainy texture.
Mozzarella
A semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a slightly tangy flavor and a chewy texture. In the lasagna, mozzarella cheese is used to create a layer of melted cheese between the layers of pasta and filling.
Capers
Small, green berries that have been pickled in salt or brine. They have a salty and tangy flavor that adds a briny contrast to the richness of the lasagna.
Olive Oil
A type of oil that is extracted from olives. It is a key ingredient in many Italian dishes, and it adds a fruity and herbaceous flavor to the lasagna.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST LASAGNA W/ BURRATA AND CAPER
How to prepare hot ingredients for lasagna
When preparing lasagna, it’s essential to properly handle hot ingredients to ensure even layering and enjoyable assembly. Ingredients such as sauce (if homemade), meat and vegetable filling, and noodles should be cooked beforehand. Rushing the process by assembling the lasagna while the ingredients are still hot can lead to uneven layers.
To prevent this, allow all ingredients to cool to the touch for approximately 15 minutes. This cooling time makes it easier to handle and layer the components. When assembling your lasagna, you can customize the layering sequence to your preference. For example, I prefer separate layers of meat, cheese, and sauce instead of combining them into a meat sauce or cheese sauce. Ultimately, the layering order is up to your preference.
Preparing Cold Ingredients for Lasagna
Cold ingredients in lasagna, like cheese and herbs, require minimal preparation before assembly. Ensure your preferred cheese blend is combined, ricotta is fluffed, and herbs are freshly picked. If you’re incorporating additional salad bar items such as spinach, olives, capers, or raw vegetables, keep them chilled. With the oven hot and lasagna hot prep under way sometimes leaving the cheese out can make it clump and melt before assembly starts.
Layering Lasagna
Start by spreading a generous dollop of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent the noodles from sticking. Lay down the first layer of noodles lengthwise, ensuring they cover the base and sides of the dish to create a sturdy structure. Add a sprinkling of shredded cheese over the noodles, followed by sauce. Then, add a layer of meat, followed by cheese, and ricotta. Repeat the layering pattern with the lasagna noodles in the opposite direction until all ingredients are used up.
Baking Lasagna
Bake the lasagna at a low temperature for an hour to allow the layers to set and blend harmoniously.
Cooling, Setting, and Serving Lasagna
Lasagna retains heat for a long time, so let it rest for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make cutting easier. Ideally, refrigerate the lasagna a day in advance. When cutting, make sure to use a serving spatula that can lift the entire bottom of each piece. Top the lasagna with burrata before serving. Burrata is best added as a contrast to the richness of the lasagna as it adds a cool, creamy element. To enhance the flavor further, toss capers and olives in a bit of olive oil and black pepper, then sprinkle them over the top.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Baking dish
- Large pot
- Colander
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Spatula
- Ladle
- Cheese grater
- Oven
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Savory and traditional layered lasagna crowned with creamy stracciatella burrata, zesty capers, olives and fragrant basil,
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package lasagna noodles, cooked and cooled
- 1 (32-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferred brand or pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 pound ground sausage
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1tb italian seasoning
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 7 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 6-8c mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 (8-ounce) package burrata cheese filling, stracciatella
- 2Tb Olive oil
- 1/4 cup capers
- ¼ olives, green
- 2tb olive oil
- 4 Basil leaves, torn
- 2 tsp Oregano, fresh
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain them and set them aside.
- Open the canned tomatoes and measure them out in a measuring cup.
- Preheat a large pan and brown the meat until it is cooked through. Season it with salt, pepper, crushed red peppers and Italian seasoning. Add the onions and brown them for 5 minutes until they are soft. Once the onions are soft, add the garlic, toss, and remove from the heat. Let the meat cool for 10 minutes.
- Begin layering the lasagna by spreading a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add a small bit of sauce at the bottom of the pan. Top with four lasagna noodles lengthwise. Add more sauce, followed by a handful of cheese, a layer of meat, and dollops of ricotta. Top with a layer of noodles going in the opposite direction and continue the layering process until all the ingredients are used.
- Bake the lasagna for 1 hour until it starts to bubble and brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool for another hour.
- When ready to serve, combine the basil, oregano, black pepper, olives, and capers. Place a slice of lasagna on a plate and top it with a generous topping of burrata filling, followed by the olive-tossed capers. Enjoy!
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