Skip navigation

Patsy’s mouthwatering meatball lasagna recipe

Chef Sal Scognamillo takes an Italian favorite and kicks it up a notch

Video
  Cook Patsy’s meatball lasagna
Jan. 31: Sal Scognamillo of Patsy’s restaurant makes the classic Italian dish that was a favorite of Frank Sinatra’s.  

Today Show Fashion

  Recipes from TODAY
Find the recipes featured on Today
TODAY
updated 12:17 p.m. ET Jan. 31, 2008

Looking for a delicious, easy-to-make dish? Chef Salvatore (Sal) Scognamillo, co-owner and third-generation executive chef of the world-renowned Patsy's restaurant, shares his tasty take on an Italian staple. Discover how to make savory meatballs, a cheesy meatball lasagna and baked mushrooms with zucchini stuffing:

Patsy's meatballs
Sal Scognamillo

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds chopped veal
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
Salt and pepper
Chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
Pinch of oregano

Recipe continues below ↓
advertisement


DIRECTIONS

Mix thoroughly and form into 2½-inch meatballs.

Preheat olive oil in skillet to 350 degrees (oil should cover half the meatball when frying).

Fry meatballs in olive oil, 2 minutes on each side.

Take out of oil.

Place the meatballs in simmering tomato sauce and cook another 10-15 minutes.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


Patsy's meatball lasagna
Sal Scognamillo

Serves 10-12

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 pounds (4 inches by 8 inches) fresh lasagna sheets
Coarse salt
10 cups homemade or store-bought pasta sauce
1/2 recipe Meatballs for Patsy
1 1/3 cups freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
2 pounds (about 8 links) sweet Italian sausage, broiled and thinly sliced
2 pounds fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/4 cups)
2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
1 large egg

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season with salt. Add lasagna sheets and cook until pliable and al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pour 1 cup sauce into a shallow baking dish; set aside. Cut two sheets in half lengthwise to make four 2-by-8-inch sheets; set aside.

3. Spread 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Dip half of a reserved cut sheet crosswise in the reserved sauce, and drape over a corner of the baking pan, leaving the sauce-covered end in the pan with the other half hanging over the edge. Repeat with remaining 3 cut sheets and corners. Line edges of pan in the same manner using full-size sheets dipped lengthwise. Finish lining the bottom of the pan with 2 full sheets.

4. In a medium bowl, toss to combine meatballs with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano, and 1/4 cup basil; spread evenly in bottom of dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.

5. In the same bowl, toss sausages with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.

6. In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.

7. In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup pecorino Romano with ricotta and egg; spread evenly in baking dish. Top with 1 cup sauce.

8. Center pasta sheets on ricotta within 1/2-inch of the edge of dish. Brush draped lasagna with sauce, and fold over to seal and enclose.

9. Cover lasagna with a clean, damp kitchen towel. Double-wrap baking dish in aluminum foil. Place an ovenproof plate, upside down, in a large roasting pan; fill pan with 2 inches of hot water. Place lasagna on top of plate. Bake until lasagna reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees to 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 40 minutes.

Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining basil, and serve with remaining sauce, if desired.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES