Recreate Olive Garden's Lasagna at Home

Easily the most popular aspect of American chain restaurants like Olive Garden, P.F. Chang's, or Applebee's is their mouth-watering recipes. However, with the current economic climate, dining out frequently can strain your budget. This is why home-cooked versions of restaurant recipes have gained popularity, enabling you to enjoy the same great flavors without the extra cost or the need to tip (though the home chef might still appreciate it).

Ingredients You'll Need

To recreate Olive Garden's lasagna, gather the following ingredients:

• ¼ cup margarine or butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup grated Romano cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup minced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fontina cheese
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Marinara or spaghetti sauce for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Cream Sauce

1. Melt the Butter: In a 1-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add Flour: Stir in the flour until well blended and cook until the mixture becomes frothy.
3. Incorporate Milk: Gradually add the milk while constantly stirring with a wire whisk. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, which should take about 4 minutes.

Preparing the Cheese Filling

1. Drain and Mince Tomatoes: Drain and mince the sun-dried tomatoes, then place them in a 3-quart mixing bowl.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add salt, pepper, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, garlic, and eggs to the bowl. Mix in 1 ½ cups of the cooled cream sauce until well blended.

Assembling the Lasagna

1. Layer Noodles and Cheese: In a lightly oiled 9” x 13” x 2” baking dish, place 3 lasagna noodles slightly overlapping. Spread 1 ½ cups of the cheese filling over the noodles, then sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella and ¼ cup of fontina cheese on top.
2. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process twice more, then top with the remaining 3 lasagna noodles.
3. Final Touch: Spread the last ½ cup of cream sauce over the top layer and cover with aluminum foil.

Baking the Lasagna

1. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the lasagna for 1 hour.
2. Rest: Remove from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
3. Serve: Top with grated Parmesan cheese and hot marinara sauce. This recipe serves 5.

Interesting Stats About Lasagna

• Lasagna's Origin: Lasagna is believed to have originated in Ancient Greece, where they made a dish called "Laganon," which consisted of layers of pasta and sauce (Source: History.com).
• Popularity: According to a survey by the National Pasta Association, lasagna is the second most popular pasta dish in the United States, right after spaghetti (Source: National Pasta Association).
• Cheese Consumption: The average American consumes about 40 pounds of cheese per year, with mozzarella being one of the most popular types, often used in lasagna (Source: USDA).

Conclusion

Recreating Olive Garden's lasagna at home is not only a cost-effective alternative to dining out but also a rewarding culinary experience. With this detailed guide, you can enjoy the rich, cheesy goodness of this classic dish anytime you want. Happy cooking!

This concludes this edition of recreating restaurant recipes at home.