My kids recently discovered Garfield, and after reading several books featuring the famous feline, they became fascinated with lasagna. When I explained what it was, my son immediately requested it. While I don’t make it often due to the effort involved, I decided to treat them (and myself!) to a homemade lasagna. Now they understand what’s Garfield’s favorite food and why he loves it so much! They devoured it. Thankfully, they didn’t even notice the ricotta cheese, which can sometimes be a hard sell.
Classic Lasagna Recipe
This recipe is a family favorite, and while it takes some time, the result is well worth the effort. It’s a dish that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters – just like Garfield!
Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
- 3 cups prepared tomato sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1 container (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and separate.
- Add cooked ground beef to tomato sauce and simmer until heated through.
- In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg, whisking with a fork until smooth.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle about 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese over that.
- Cover with another 1/2 cup of tomato sauce.
Adding Your Own Touch
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! For example, I sometimes add a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms for a more complex flavor.
Leaving a small section without mushrooms is a great way to cater to picky eaters. You can also add other vegetables like spinach or zucchini. The possibilities are endless! Get creative and discover your family’s favorite variations.
Assembly and Baking
Now, let’s finish building this Garfield-approved masterpiece.
- Repeat the layers in the same order until you reach the last layer of noodles.
- Sprinkle the last layer of noodles with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes it easier to cut.
Enjoy!
Serve with a side salad and some garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. And don’t be surprised if your family members start quoting Garfield while they eat! This lasagna is sure to become a new family tradition, just like it is for everyone’s favorite cartoon cat. This meal is not just delicious but also a great way to connect with your family over a shared love for good food and fun characters. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and create some lasting memories with this lasagna recipe that answers the age-old question: what’s Garfield’s favorite food?
