Lemon Ricotta Lasagna Recipe 425

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and cook until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with the edge of a spoon, until nicely browned but not completely cooked through, about 6 minutes. Stir in the sambal oelek. Add the wine and stir to release any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, crushing completely between your hands or with a potato masher. Cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and the beef is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper halfway through cooking.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Boil the broken lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente.
• In a small skillet, toast the fennel seeds over medium until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and crush on a cutting board with the flat end of a large knife or the bottom of a skillet.
• Drain the pasta, add to the ragù and toss to coat. Divide among four bowls and dollop each generously with ricotta. Sprinkle with lemon zest, cracked fennel, flaky sea salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil as desired. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes and juice in a food processor or food mill. Saute garlic briefly in olive oil, add tomatoes and salt, and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the ricotta filling: Add ricotta to food processor with lemon zest, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano , and 6-8 basil leaves. Process until smooth. To assemble: Spread a small amount of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Add one layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Spread half of the ricotta filling over the noodles, then 1/3 of the tomato sauce, then one half of the grated mozzarella. Repeat for another layer of noodles, cheese filling, 1/3 sauce, and cheese. Add a final layer of noodles and the remaining 1/3 tomato sauce. Arrange the fresh mozzarella rounds on the surface in a pleasing way, not overlapping. Sprinkle the remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano on the casserole. Place a basil leaf on top of each mozzarella round and let the dish sit for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. After the noodles have had time to absorb the tomato juices, bake for 40 minutes, until bubbly and beginning to brown. Let the lasagna rest for 5-10 minutes and serve.