Cajun Lasagna is a delicious twist on the classic Italian dish, featuring spicy Cajun flavors. Here’s a recipe to help you make it at home:
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork sausage (or andouille sausage for a more authentic Cajun flavor)
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
For the Ricotta Mixture:
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lasagna:
12 lasagna noodles
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef and sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.
Add the Cajun seasoning, basil, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
While the sauce is simmering, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Assemble the Lasagna:
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture.
Repeat the layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
Sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Let the lasagna rest for about 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This will help it set and make it easier to slice.
Enjoy your Cajun Lasagna!