Yahoo Lifestyle 
The unexpected ingredient you didn’t know your lasagne needed (it's probably already in your pantry)
If you're looking for the perfect winter recipe, look no further.
Winter is just around the corner, meaning it’s time to bunker down and enjoy some hearty meals from the comfort of your home. And what’s more hearty than a classic Italian lasagne?
Chefs and home cooks alike will know that a good, authentic lasagne requires both time and the right combination of ingredients to create the perfect pasta dish, layered with a rich, meaty sauce and gooey cheese. The great thing about the humble lasagne is that it also typically yields plenty of servings, providing enough for the whole family – or leftovers for a warming winter’s lunch the next day.
So what exactly goes into creating a quality lasagne dish that feels like the real deal?
RELATED:
First thing’s first, it’s all in the cook time. Celebrated Italian-Australian chef, cookbook author and opera singer Silvia Colloca told Yahoo Lifestyle Australia that the key to a rich, flavourful lasagne is to slow cook the ragu for a minimum of four hours – or up to seven hours if you’ve got the time.
Silvia Colloca's top lasagne tips
“A quick ragu does not exist in Italy,” Colloca explained. “You don’t need an expensive cut of meat – slow-cooked beef cheeks or even chuck steak will work well as long as you’ve given enough time.”
She also advised against adding too many flavourings, as the slow cooking will enhance the flavour and taste on its own. Also, go easy on the bechamel sauce – Colloca said one of the biggest mistakes people make when cooking lasagne is covering it in “thick layers of white sauce”.
“It’s all about the pasta sheets, they need to be really silky,” she said. “The richness of the tomato sauce helps too. Don’t drown it in bechamel.”
A truly surprising ingredient
But there’s another secret ingredient Colloca includes that gives her lasagne its signature Italian flavour and woody aroma – nutmeg.
It may sound like an unusual addition, but according to the chef, nutmeg is a key component to a good Italian ragu.
“It’s an elusive ingredient and it’s really comforting and warm,” she said. “It has a woody aroma and you think, what is this magic? It’s always nutmeg. A little goes a long way.”
Fans rave about 'absolutely delicious' recipe
Colloca’s lasagne has proven to be a hit in homes across Australia in recent years after it was popularised on gourmet meal delivery service, Providoor.
“It tastes exactly as I would have made it in my own kitchen,” she said.
And it seems plenty of foodies agree in fact – Colloca’s lasagne is actually the only dish Providoor offers in different serving sizes (1kg and 2kg) due to customer demand and a whopping 500kg of the dish sold each month.
“The best lasagne I have ever tasted,” one customer wrote in a five-star Providoor review of the dish.
“Whole family loved it!,” gushed another happy customer.
“The lasagne was absolutely delicious and will become a household favourite,” a third wrote.
SHOP:
“Loved the lasagne,” another Providoor consumer said. “Family very happy and better value than a single lunch out last Sunday. Will order again for a special occasion!”
Next time you’re cooking up a winter feast, it might be worth testing out Colloca’s tips to take your own homemade lasagne to the next level. Or, if you don’t feel up to recreating it at home, the ready-to-eat lasagne will set you back $34 for two servings from Providoor, where you’ll also find an array of Colloca’s favourite Italian dishes including pizza, meatballs, tiramisu and more.
Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
