Delicious Lasagna Recipe: Elevate Your Cooking with The Food Guy's Expert Tips!

When winter hits, there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty dish to lift your spirits.

How about lasagna? It’s a classic comfort food that never goes out of style. Steve Dolinsky from NBC Chicago shares two tasty versions you might want to try.

First up, homemade lasagna. The secret? Wide, thin pasta sheets layered with rich ricotta and gooey mozzarella. Often, you’ll find meat to add some depth, all brought together with a bright marinara.

Freddy’s Pizza in Cicero makes this dish from scratch. Joe Quercia, who has been running the place since 1968, still uses homemade noodles for every batch of lasagna.

He starts by coating a large pan with tomato sauce. Then, he adds sheets of fresh pasta, followed by more sauce, grated Parmesan, ricotta with parsley and black pepper, and ground beef—though that can vary by recipe. He emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients.

“Good ricotta and lean ground beef are essential,” Joe says.

Next, Joe layers on shredded mozzarella. He repeats this process for a total of three layers. You can enjoy it hot, fresh from the oven, or partially baked to take home and finish cooking yourself.

The lasagna at Alla Vita in the West Loop takes a different approach. They start with a creamy béchamel sauce and green spinach pasta. A rich tomato sauce is added, along with more béchamel, mozzarella, and a seasonal twist: roasted eggplant.

Chef Darren Underway explains that this innovative ingredient brings great texture and flavor, while still respecting classic tastes.

“We bake it at 325 degrees for about an hour and a half to let all the flavors blend,” he adds.

Both styles of lasagna are perfect for reheating at home, but nothing beats the experience of enjoying a warm, cheesy slice fresh out of the oven. Modern chefs love to keep things classic while adding their own unique twists.

If you’re craving lasagna this winter, here are some locations to check out:

Freddy’s Pizza
1600 S. 61st Ave., Cicero
708-863-9289

Alla Vita
564 W. Randolph St.
312-667-0104

Other spots for delicious lasagna: