Holiday Lasagne with Le Creuset
Monday, November 29, 2010 at 3:46PM in Christmas, Cookbooks, Giveaways, Main Dish, Product Reviews, beef, holidays, opinion, pasta, recipes Giveaway officially closed, but the lasagne is still awesome, so keep reading!
The two randomly chosen winners and lucky recipients of the Le Creuset Roasting Pans are:
Dave from Dave's Cupboard and G. from Tasteography. Congratulations to you both! And thank you so much to all of you that entered, tweeted and FB'd! Stay tuned, because my Santa sack full of goodies still has more fun prizes to go around!
I’m beginning to feel like Santa Claus with a big sack of goodies to give away to you guys! And I’m not going to deny it, I like it. It’s fun! Yes--a Le Creuset giveaway, starting today!
Le Creuset. Mention it in front of anyone that loves to cook, and you’ll get a lot of ooh’s and ahhh’s, I guarantee you that. Le Creuset--cookware made in France by dedicated craftsmen since 1925. Do they know cookware? Hell yes, they do! If you’re lucky enough to have even one piece, you know what I mean. Heavy duty, classic cookware that will become heirlooms for generations to come. Perhaps you already own some heirloom pieces that belonged to your parents or grandparents. Lucky you!
My 9 quart Le Creuset French Oven (Enameled Cast Iron) is my favorite piece of cookware. It’s a trusted friend that never lets me down. Perfect, even heating and cooking, and easy clean up. I’m building a collection, piece by piece.
I recently had a nice chat with Colleen at Le Creuset. She mentioned that they had a new Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan that was just gorgeous. She was right! If any pan can be gorgeous, it’s got to be from Le Creuset. Beautiful and functional:
- Two layered stainless steel with aluminum core
- Friendly to all cooktops, including induction
- Oven safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Includes roasting pan and non-stick roasting rack
- Dishwasher safe
This roasting pan is one that you’ll reach for again and again. The classic design, strong handles, even heating/cooking, and versatility will never let you down. Did I say it’s gorgeous? It’s got a mirror shine that will take your breath away. If you’re all geeky about that stuff, like I am.
Colleen offered to give two of their new Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pans with roasting racks to my readers. These pans have a $150 retail price. Keep reading for details!
The first thing we decided to make was Lasagne. Well, I decided to have it, but it’s Billy’s job to make the Lasagne around here. I know, not what you think of immediately with a roasting pan. But cravings are cravings! This Lasagne is from the book “We Called It Macaroni--An American Heritage of Southern Italian Cooking” by Nancy Verde Barr. I’ve had this book since…my gosh! 1990, when it came out! It’s full of not only recipes, but stories (which I love!), history and photos (which I also love!) from Barr’s family. The recipes are easy to follow, and always give mouth-watering results. I should note, Barr uses a homemade semolina lasagne, and the recipe for that is also in the book.
Please excuse the nighttime lighting on this next photo. Too hungry to set up lights for the shot, and a bunch of people waiting to dig in!
Nonna's Lasagne
slightly adapted from "We Called It Macaroni"
serves 10
3/4 pound of lasagne noodles (we use the Barilla no boil ones-just over one box)
olive oil
salt
1/2 pound ground beef*
1/2 cup breadcrumbs*
1 egg, lightly beaten*
fresh ground black pepper*
3 to 3 1/2 cups of your favorite sauce (Barr uses meat sauce-recipe is in the book)
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage, sautéed until browned
3 hard boiled eggs, cut in thin slices (yes, really!)
1 pound ricotta cheese
3/4 pound mozzarella, grated
1/2 freshly grated parmesan
*We usually double the meatballs. If you decide to as well, double the beef, bread crumbs, egg, and salt and pepper.
First off, about the Barilla no boil noodles. I always find that they need a little pre-soak in warm water to soften them up, otherwise, you get some uncooked parts. Is that just me? Anyway, when you're ready to assemble, put a stainless steel bowl or pan of warm water on the stove over low heat, and soak about 3 noodles at a time, for about 2 minutes. The proceed with building your lasagne, soaking noodles as you need them.
Mix the meat, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper and blend well. Make meatballs the size of a walnut, and them fry in a bit of oil until browned. Drain and set aside. (Billy likes to slightly flatten the meatballs in the pan for faster and more even cooking.)
Heat oven to 375. Brush a rectangular baking pan (9 x 13", or in this case, 10 x 14") with olive oil.
Assembly:
- Spread a bit of the sauce over the bottom of the pan.
- Put a layer of noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
- Next, cover the noodles with a layer of sauce.
- Over the sauce, sprinkle some of the sausage, meatballs, and egg slices.
- Dot the top of all of that with large spoonful's of ricotta.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Add another layer of noodles and continue building until all ingredients are used.
- The top layer will be just sauce, mozz and parm.
Bake for 45 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
See the egg slices in there? Don’t leave them out--they taste great!
Giveaway time!
I have two of the Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pans with Roasting Racks to give away! Each pan retails for $150. (US shipping only.)
To enter:
- Leave a comment here telling me what you’d like to make in your Le Creuset Roasting Pan. Leave a valid email address, please!
- You may tweet about the giveaway as much as you like, just don’t annoy your friends. Ha! Leave one additional comment here for each tweet.
- If you’re on Facebook and would like to share this there, please do! Again, leave an additional comment for that.
- Your comments must be on this post. I’ve had a few giveaway comments lately that have been emailed to me through my Contact Page, and those won’t count. You must post here, on this page.
I’ll choose two winners in one week--Monday, December 6th. The winners must reply to me within two days, or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!
Reader Comments (249)
Oh my gosh love Le Creuset. The first thing we would do it roast a chicken!
What a great giveaway! I am drooling for one of those roasting pans. First thing would be Prime Rib for Hubs' family this holiday season. They love their beef. LOL
Tweeted "RT @elleskitchen http://tinyurl.com/2vatx83 - Lasagne w/ Le Creuset. 2 Le Creuset Stainless Roasting Pans up for grabs($150 each!) >>>Want!"
I tweeted the giveaway! (@On_My_Plate)
Shared the giveaway on my On My Plate Facebook page. Torn though...sharing the news means fewer chances for me to win. LOL
I would make a vegan lasagna because I like that stuff like no tomorrow! Thanks for the great giveaway! noellsky (at) gmail (dot) com
I would make stuffed shells!!!!
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/singerinkitchen/status/9351682026639360
I posted on my wall on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/noellsky
Oh my. I'd never be able to afford a pan like this in real life. It's gorgeous! I'd make a turkey breast roast with veggies and sweet potatoes. Yum.
Gah!! I'm in LOVE with that pan!! I even have the same cookbook as you! Oh we are sista's, lol... I'm thinking a prime rib would look mighty purdy in there!
I think I'd roast a big chicken. With lots of lemon and rosemary. YUM!
Shared on facebook :)
Would love to use this at Christmas to make a knock-my-MIL's-socks off turkey dinner! :)
Oh how I want this. Um, I would make tons of stuff in it. I would do a rack of lamb. I would do roasted ox tail. I would do chickens. I could go on and on.
I tweeted.
J'adore LeCreuset!!
Seriously, I love their cookware. And would love a chance to win one of those roasting pans. I will tweet about it too. I'm @katenthekitchen
What wouldn't I make in my Le Creuset pan?
My personal favorite pan dish is lasagna, though I've recently taken a liking to oven-roasting vegetables. Dill-herbed carrots and parsnips with onion and garlic... Mmm... Now I'm getting hungry!
Love your writing!
that is the most beautiful roasting pan i have EVER seen! I'm going with a massive batch of enchiladas...you could feed so many people!
My husband is a lasagna addict- I could certainly make a monster size one in that pan! I am a big fan of oven roasted lemon chicken though!
Hmm, maybe lasagna but maybe a brisket? No, no breakfast casserole - that's always a staple around Christmas time and then the lasagna.
We're totally on the same page! I just made lasagna but I'd love a nice flat bottom roasting pan to cook big items like that. I always have to trim the corners since I don't have a rectangular pan!
So what I'd make: lasagna would be nice - straight lines, no trimming. Or maybe some kind of roast.
Hi Elle! That lasagna looks good, I've never tried it with hard boiled eggs inside.
If I won a roaster, I'd be boring and make roasted chicken in it most of the time, but sometimes I would be fancy and make awesome enchiladas of all different kinds.
i would love to make a juicy leg of lamb in one of these roasters...thanks for the chance!
If I won a Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pans, I would definitely make a lasagna.
I would make cheesy potato casserole, mac and cheese, vegetable lasagna and anything else full of fat that is not good for me. At some point, you just have to embrace the jiggly thighs.
Hi Colleen,
I loved your post and the pics! Your lasagna looks amazing. Is there a particular brand of ricotta cheese that you use?
The roasting pans look fabulous, too. I saw a great recipe for a Guajillo-Tamarind turkey that I really want to try and the Le Creuset pan would work so well for that: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001010552
Thanks and keep writing!
I would make lasagne bolognese with homemade sheets of spinach pasta. It's extremely time intensive but SO worth the effort! Moreover, having a deep roasting pan like this one helps to keep everything inside the pan and helps to create a brown and crispy crust - the part my family fights over!
Yay Le Creuset! I, too, have the 9 quart French Oven and it is my favorite piece of cookware. Risotto comes out perfect every time! I would love to expand my Le Creuset kitchen with the roasting pans. Your lasagna recipe as well as my mother's handcrafted chicken spaghetti recipe that I have made my own over the years would be my first adventures. I professed my love for my now husband over a dish of that chicken spaghetti. :)
Just tweeted about the giveaway!
@fancifulfoodie:
Get a new #LeCreuset #roasting pan for the holidays by reading and commenting on this lasagna post! http://bit.ly/hiiPiB by @elleskitchen
OH MY WORD! I use my Le Creuset dutch oven and buffet casserole more than anything else in my kitchen. LOVE! What will I make in this? My turkey for Christmas dinner! I have NO roasting pan and a huge turkey in my freezer with no idea what to cook it in. So, I definitely have my fingers crossed so Mr. Turkey will have a comfortable place to roast for dinner. (It's my first time making a whole turkey, I need all the help I can get!)
That lasagna looks delish! I think I'd use my new roasting pan for a new lamb recipe I found.
It is a gorgeous pan! For Thanksgiving, I ended up having to buy a foil roasting pan to roast our turkey, so I could definitely use this. :)
I'd make Ina's roasted broccoli!
And I posted on facebook
I would really like to attempt cornish hens. Do you make those in a roasting pan?
I would make my mom's Cuban Roast Pork, our Christmas Eve tradition, alongside Black Beans, Rice, and Yucca...with Flan for desert. Yum!
I think I would want to make stuffed shells or shepards pie!
Wow, what a great giveaway Elle! I have already had a craving for lasagna, so I'm thinking that I'd christen this pan with my very own lasagna and then tote it over to share with the kids!
mary@deepsouthdish.com
You're lasagna recipe is very similar to mine that I use and eggs are a total must. My husband and I luv them and my the kids prefer them not being in and on top of the lasagna. Oh well I win. I would cook my Christmas ham in here or a prime rib. YUM.
Oh that pan looks delightful! I'm in a culinary school and last week we made a Lasagna Verde, and I would definately make that again. Or I'd practice for my practical final exam which would be a stuffed chicken leg.
Love your blog!
OMG Elle, Your giveaways are amazing!! Love Le Creuset. There are so many thing I can make in it the list is endless. Roasted chicken, cornish game hens, beef roast, vegetables just to name a few. Love love all the Le Creuset products and wish so much to win one!! Thanks for ofeering this. Shulie
Just RT'd Elle!!
Wow....what to make first! Enchiladas w/ homemade green sauce....roasted chicken....brisket...I would have trouble deciding! I love Le Creueset - I only have one piece, this would be fun to add to the collection!
I tweeted! @goodcookdoris
I posted on FB too!
Oh wow...that is one beautiful roasting pan...and ya!! Of course I think lasagna when I see that kind of pan...and I think shepherds pie and chicken pot pie (not the pie crust version LOL). I have yet to even start my own collection. But I think if I started off with this particular pan....I'd probably make a lasagna as my first dish. (first of many)
Consider yourself tweeted!! (my twitter name is "Imstuffed")
I also shared it on Facebook through my peaceful cooking fan page. btw....my email address is peacefulcooking at gmail dot com
Just tried a roaster by LeCreuset that I barrowed from a friend, it is the best thing ever. The best turkey I have ever had. Yes I really want one of my own. I would love to try a large pan of Mac and Cheese.