Easy Lasagna for the Whole Family
[Special Children’s Day Snack] Make Delicious Lasagna Using Ingredients from Your Fridge!
This recipe skips the complicated béchamel sauce and uses up ingredients readily available in the fridge to create a wonderful lasagna! It’s a great activity to do with kids on Children’s Day. It’s easy to make and incredibly delicious, promising a happy meal for everyone.
Main Ingredients- 200g ground pork
- 9 lasagna sheets (or pasta sheets)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 500g store-bought spaghetti sauce (tomato-based)
- 150g whole peeled tomatoes (canned or 2 fresh tomatoes)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 1/3 broccoli head
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- A little black olives (optional)
- 1 tbsp white wine (or cooking wine)
- Plenty of mozzarella cheese
- A little grated Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of salt
- A little chopped parsley (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients needed for the lasagna. Wash the vegetables thoroughly and pat them dry.
Step 2
Finely dice the onion, bell pepper, and broccoli into roughly 0.5 cm pieces, suitable for children to eat. Avoid dicing them too small, so they retain some texture after cooking.
Step 3
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ground pork, and stir-fry. Break up the meat as it cooks, and once it’s lightly browned, add the white wine (or cooking wine) to cook off the raw smell. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 4
Once the pork is almost cooked through, add all the diced vegetables (onion, bell pepper, broccoli) to the pan and stir-fry together. Cook until the vegetables become slightly translucent.
Step 5
Next, add the store-bought spaghetti sauce and whole peeled tomatoes. Stir well to combine. Add the corn kernels and black olives at this stage as well. Stir-fry for a short while to allow the flavors to meld with the ingredients.
Step 6
Just before turning off the heat, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Stir well to create a delicious ragu sauce (meat sauce)! If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a little water.
Step 7
In a separate pot, bring plenty of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Cook the lasagna sheets according to package directions, but aim for about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time for ‘al dente’ texture. This prevents them from becoming mushy after baking in the oven. Once tender, drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to prevent sticking.
Step 8
Lightly grease the bottom of your oven-safe dish with olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking. Arrange 3 lasagna sheets in a single layer, slightly overlapping if necessary. However, avoid excessive overlap, as it can prevent the sauce from penetrating fully.
Step 9
Spread a generous layer of the prepared ragu sauce over the lasagna sheets. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor.
Step 10
Add a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. Pile it on as much as your kids will enjoy!
Step 11
Place another 3 lasagna sheets on top. You can repeat this layering process 1-2 more times for a more substantial lasagna.
Step 12
Spread the remaining ragu sauce evenly over the second layer of pasta, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 13
Finally, cover the entire top with plenty of mozzarella cheese. If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley for visual appeal and aroma. (This recipe involves building 2 layers.)
Step 14
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Adjust the baking time based on your oven’s performance.
Step 15
Even when you’re short on time, you can easily make this lasagna by simplifying the ragu sauce and omitting the béchamel. Create delicious memories with your children, especially for a special occasion like Children’s Day! Highly recommended for a Children’s Day home party menu. ^^
