Lasagna Gravy

[Tenbatsuzen]

So I need a sauce recommended to me for lasagna. I've made two lasagnas in the past two weeks, specializing in a lower-fat, healthier lasagna.

(I make mine with turkey, no-fat ricotta and low-fat Mozzarella.)

The first time, I used two different kinds of sauces, Hunts from a Can and a jar of Francesco Rinaldi marinara. It was OK, but I knew I shouldn't have used the Hunts. (We keep the Hunts in the house for quick meals if needed)

Tonight I used Emeril Lagasse's Kicked Up Tomato and I was not happy with the result, mainly because I didn't season the turkey I used for the lasagna and I didn't season the ricotta either. Plus the sauce just sucked. It didn't taste like tomatoes at all.

So what sauce do you use for making lasagna? In a jar or home made?

[BoondockSaint]

First off, I've tried a few things from the Emeril line and they have all been very bland.

As far as a jarred sauce, I like Paul Newman's stuff. I haven't been disappointed by any of the different varieties they offer. And the money goes to a good cause, too.

[sr71blackbird]

Gravy would be nasty. Why not use tomato sauce?

http://ninecooks.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tomatosauce.jpg

[torker]

Knock it all you like, but it's the best sauce in a jar:
http://www.harvardgeo.org/ragu.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

I grew up on Ragu, and I always enjoy it. There's something very "home-like" (for non italians) with Ragu.

Liz always has a habit of buying these rooty-poo fancy-ass sauces.

[sailor]

this article is 6 years old (http://www.slate.com/id/2059252/) but it might help.

[drjoek]

Rao's:thumbup:

[JPMNICK]

Gravy would be nasty. Why not use tomato sauce?

http://ninecooks.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/tomatosauce.jpg

Hunts is the most bitter, nasty tomatoes in a can. you can not make a good sauce out of them because they suck from the start

Tuttorossa tomatoes are the way to go

[Fezticle98]

If I'm going the jar route, it's Barilla Tomato & Basil or Marinara. Classico brand is pretty good too.

If I'm making my own, I use Del Monte or the store brand (Publix when I was in FL). There is something off about the Hunt's. It's all about your recipe and simmering it nice and slow. I don't really make lasagna, but I guess it would work equally well on that.

[Kathleen From The Bronx]

Tuttorossa tomatoes are the way to go

I like them too...... and if you can find canned San Marzano tomatoes, those are my by-far favorites.... you can make ya a nice sauce so easy...

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vzZ+aJSGL._AA280_.jpg

:0)

[JPMNICK]

I like them too...... and if you can find canned San Marzano tomatoes, those are my by-far favorites.... you can make ya a nice sauce so easy...

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vzZ+aJSGL._AA280_.jpg

:0)

i can never find those fucking things.

and they key to a good sauce is no sugar extra salt. the salt really brings out the flavor of the tomatoes.

[BoondockSaint]

Anyone else really want some lasagna right now?

[Kathleen From The Bronx]

i can never find those fucking things.

and they key to a good sauce is no sugar extra salt. the salt really brings out the flavor of the tomatoes.

You know what man, where I live in VA it is pretty hard to find em.... except sometimes randomly at places like Balducci's where they are SO much more expensive.....

When I'm back up in the Bronx, I go to the Arthur Ave. Market and I bring so, so many cans of em back.....plus tons of other stuff......... annnnd... the other place i've had good luck findin em is when I go see my brother in Philly- He lives near the 9th Street (Italian) Market.... and they're a-plenty there too......... Otherwise it's like you gotta order em online... which seems like maybe a crazy thing to do, right? :0)

AND! I agree..... no sugar..... !!!!!!

[Fezticle98]

i can never find those fucking things.

and they key to a good sauce is no sugar extra salt. the salt really brings out the flavor of the tomatoes.


AND! I agree..... no sugar..... !!!!!!

I hate to go against the crowd, but u gotta add a little sugar. Like half a teaspoon to counteract the bitterness of the paste. Also, too salty blows.

[JPMNICK]

I hate to go against the crowd, but u gotta add a little sugar. Like half a teaspoon to counteract the bitterness of the paste. Also, too salty blows.

no paste either, well usually not. if so, then you have to put it in 1st and almost toast it

[Kris10]

this article is 6 years old (http://www.slate.com/id/2059252/) but it might help.

Now I want to try Rao's, never had it before.

[sailor]

Now I want to try Rao's, never had it before.

it's an old, old school ny restaurant (like 1896). the price has come down quite a bit from that article. it's like $6 a bottle or so. yesterday at the stew leonard's here they had it 2 for $10.

[mendyweiss]

Rao's:thumbup:

Rao's is good stuff. I hope to get to the restaurant one day. It's a little dive up in the Bronx and you need to make reservations at least a year in advance, if you can get in at all.
It used to be a big hangout with the mob. I think they only have like six tables.

[grlNIN]

Ragu tastes like cat shit. I buy Prego exclusively and always end up liking the end result.

It's also "sauce" not "gravy".

[angrymissy]

I make my sauce from scratch for lasagna using this recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Worlds-Best-Lasagna/Detail.aspx

I lower the amount of sugar. I usually make a triple batch and freeze the rest, the meat sauce it makes is really good for pasta as well. I also make an artichoke/spinach lasagna that is good for a low fat recipe.

For store bought, I'll only use Patsy's jarred (the sauce is good, the restaurant blew when I went), which is like $9/jar or this brand they have at stop and shop that begins with a V... all natural just tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, etc.

Also, the local Italian deli/butchers around here sell their own sauce which is fucking delicious at both places I've tried, the only problem is I have to get there before they close and I usually shop at night.

[Keotok]

http://www.donpepino.com/index.html

# Natural Ingredients
Don Pepino uses only garden fresh tomatoes, plucked from the vine at their peak of ripeness. Cholesterol free corn oil and a blend of imported spices are mixed with the fresh whole tomatoes to create our unique delicious tasting pizza sauce. Our unique processing system captures all the natural flavors and seals in an extraordinary fresh taste. Unlike many of our competitors, our recipe never includes paste, purees, preservatives, starches, gums, sugar, artificial color, citric acid, or fillers.

http://www.rosafoods.com/15ozDPpizzasmall.gif

[Hottub]

All of this talk of Ragu on Columbus Day?
You's are breaking my heart.

[Kris10]

it's an old, old school ny restaurant (like 1896). the price has come down quite a bit from that article. it's like $6 a bottle or so. yesterday at the stew leonard's here they had it 2 for $10.

I probably won't be able to get it here in jersey

[grlNIN]

I hate to go against the crowd, but u gotta add a little sugar. Like half a teaspoon to counteract the bitterness of the paste. Also, too salty blows.

I'm with you on the sugar. That was my mom's "secret" that she showed me when i was little and she'd make sauce.

[JPMNICK]

if you use good fresh tomatoes, or good tomatoes from a can you do not need the sugar. the natural sugar in the tomatoes is more than enough. if you start off with bitter or not fully ripened tomatoes, you need the sugar.

[torker]

You got to have pork. That's the flavor.
http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/15259/16_2007/goodfellas2.preview.jpg

[Lady Resin]

I use San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes. Crush them with my hand. I add a couple of bay leaves, parmiganno reggiano cheese to make up for the salt. I simmer it for about 3-3 1/2 hours.

[lleeder]

I usually make a triple batch and freeze the rest

:ohmy:

[FUNKMAN]

Ragu Marinara

favorite from when I was kid

almost every person over the years that I have served it to loves it. some until i tell them what they're eating...

[EffMeBoobs]

I'm going to have to agree with San Marzano's for homemade. If I cant find SM then I turn to Tuttarossa's. For jarred sauce, I go with Classico or Prego.

[led37zep]

I just had lasagna tonight, its by far my favorite food.

My chick made pretty much everything from scratch except the sauce, some organic canned version she got at Trader Joes, it was pretty good.

[TheGameHHH]

all of you non-Italians in one thread crack me up