Smoked Lasagna

Gather around, because today we’re diving headfirst into the delectable world of smoked lasagna. I know what you’re thinking – lasagna’s already awesome, but smoking it? Trust me, this takes it to a whole new level of epicness. So, grab your aprons and let’s embark on a journey that’ll leave your taste buds in smoky ecstasy!

How to Make Smoked Lasagna

1. Gather Your Ingredients, Y’all! Alright, let’s start by rounding up the usual lasagna suspects – lasagna noodles, ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix), diced onions, garlic, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and some parmesan. Don’t forget those secret ingredients – love and patience!
2. Get Smokin’! Fire up your smoker to around 225°F (that’s about 110°C for my friends across the pond). While the smoker’s heating, cook your ground meat, onions, and garlic in a skillet. Once it’s nice and brown, stir in the marinara sauce.
3. Layer It Up! In an aluminum pan, lay down some lasagna noodles as the base. Then, layer on your meaty sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan. Keep repeating these layers until your pan’s almost full, topping it off with cheese.
4. Smoke ‘Em Up! Now, cover that pan with aluminum foil. Pop it onto the smoker for around 2-3 hours. The slow and steady smoke will infuse your lasagna with flavor, making you wonder why you never tried this before!
5. Serve It Hot! It’s ready once your smoked lasagna’s got that gorgeous smoky hue and is bubbling with cheesy goodness. Dive in while it’s still hot – trust me, that’s the only way to do it justice!

Extra Tips for Smokin’ Success

• Experiment with different wood chips for the smoker to add distinct flavors. I’m a hickory guy myself!
• Don’t rush the smoking process. Low and slow is the name of the game.
• You can switch out the ground meat for veggies if you’re feeling a bit more plant-powered.

What to Serve

Now, what’s a good meal without some sidekicks, right? Pair your smokin’ lasagna with a crisp Caesar salad, some garlic bread, or even a zesty antipasto platter. And don’t forget a good bottle of wine or your favorite craft beer to wash it all down.

What to Do with Leftovers

Alright, so you’ve indulged in your smoky masterpiece, and there’s a bit left over (if you’re lucky). Well, worry not! Leftover lasagna is a treasure trove of delicious possibilities. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Breakfast of Champions: Heat up a slice in the morning, and you’ve got yourself a hearty breakfast. It’s like lasagna’s secret superpower.
2. Lasagna Sandwich: Slap a piece between two slices of bread, add some fresh greens and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and voilà – a legendary sandwich is born.
3. Lasagna Soup: Chop it up into smaller pieces, throw it into a pot with some broth, and you’ve got an incredible lasagna soup. Comfort food on another level!
4. Freeze It for Later: Lasagna freezes like a champ. Wrap individual slices in foil and freeze them for those busy days when you need a quick, tasty meal.

There you have it, folks – the art of making smoked lasagna, as brought to you by yours truly! I can’t stress enough how insanely delicious and unique this dish is. It’s got that perfect blend of smokiness, cheesy goodness, and that familiar lasagna comfort we all adore.

So, fire up that smoker, grab your ingredients, and let the smoky magic happen. And remember, if you have any leftover, they’re like edible treasures waiting to be rediscovered. Thanks for tuning in, and may your smoked lasagna adventures be legendary!

Print

Smoked Lasagna

Unleash the deliciousness of smoked lasagna, a culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving for more. Dive into layers of smoky goodness today!

Course Main Course

Prep Time 45 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Servings 8

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Cheese Filling:

• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles cooked and drained
• Meat sauce
• Cheese filling
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and pork until browned. Break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
2. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions are translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the marinara sauce and season with pepper and salt. Stir well, then reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Once the meat sauce is ready, set it aside.

Prepare the Cheese Filling

1. Combine the ricotta, 2 cups of mozzarella, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, eggs, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
2. Set the cheese filling aside for later.

Assemble the Lasagna

1. Fire up your smoker to a temperature of 225°F (110°C). While it's heating up, start assembling the lasagna.
2. In your 9x13-inch aluminum pan, begin by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom.
3. Place three cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Add a generous layer of cheese filling on top of the noodles, spreading it evenly.
5. Repeat the layering process: meat sauce, noodles, cheese filling until you run out of ingredients. Finish with a layer of noodles on top.
6. Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the final layer of noodles.

Smoke Your Lasagna

1. Cover the aluminum pan with aluminum foil. Make sure it's tightly sealed to trap the smoky goodness.
2. Place the pan in your preheated smoker.
3. Smoke the lasagna at 225°F (110°C) for 2-3 hours. The low and slow smoke will infuse the lasagna with that mouthwatering smoky flavor.

Serve and Enjoy!

1. It's ready when your smoked lasagna is bubbling with cheesy goodness and has that beautiful smoky hue.
2. Carefully remove it from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
3. Slice and serve your smoked lasagna while it's still hot and fresh.