8 oz no-boil lasagna noodle (225 g), broken in half
2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella (200 g)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (25 g), plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
garlic bread, for serving
How to Make It
1. Step
Make the cheese cubes: In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Step
Grease an ice cube tray with nonstick spray. Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly into the cups in the tray. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until the cheese mixture is firm, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
3. Step
Make the lasagna: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter to the pot and swirl to evenly coat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and starting to caramelize, 10 minutes.
4. Step
Add the ground beef, pork, and lamb and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until no longer pink, 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Step
Add the red wine and cook, stirring, until completely evaporated, 3 minutes.
6. Step
Add the tomato paste and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly caramelized, about 3 minutes.
7. Step
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, reduce the heat to medium, and cook the sauce, stirring, until slightly reduced, 6-8 minutes.
8. Step
Unmold the frozen cheese cubes, then distribute them evenly throughout the simmering meat sauce. Using your fingers or a pair of tongs, insert the noodle pieces vertically in the sauce around the pot. Cover the pot.
9. Step
Cook for 18 minutes, then uncover the pot and use a spatula to push down the exposed noodles so they are covered in sauce. Cover and cook for 18 minutes more, until the noodles are tender.
10. Step
Remove the lid and sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.
11. Step
Sprinkle the lasagna with parsley and more Parmesan, if desired, and serve with garlic bread alongside.
