Lasagna with octopus ragù

17/11/2023

Lasagna with octopus ragù is a maritime twist on the classic Italian dish. Here is the recipe with an added touch of Italian flair:

Ingredients

500 g of fresh lasagna sheets
1 kg of cleaned octopus
500 ml of tomato puree
1 white onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 glass of dry white wine
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
A bunch of chopped fresh parsley
200 g of fiordilatte mozzarella (optional for a more Italian touch)
Grated Parmesan cheese to taste (for gratinating)
Fresh basil for garnish

Preparation

Start by cleaning the octopus if you haven’t already bought it cleaned. Remove the entrails, eyes, and beak, then rinse the octopus under running water.
In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil. Add the chopped octopus and let it brown for a few minutes.
Deglaze with the white wine and allow the alcohol to evaporate. Add the tomato puree, salt, pepper, and some of the chopped parsley. Cover and let it simmer for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the octopus is tender. If necessary, add a little water during cooking.
In the meantime, prepare the lasagna. If you are using fresh lasagna sheets, there is no need to pre-cook them. If you are using dry lasagna, follow the instructions on the package for precooking.
When the octopus ragù is ready, remove the lid and reduce the sauce if it’s too liquid.
Assemble the lasagna in a baking dish, alternating layers of pasta, octopus ragù, pieces of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Complete the last layer with the ragù, Parmesan, and a few leaves of fresh basil.
Bake at 180 °C for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Curiosity

Octopus ragù lasagna is a gourmet variant that combines the flavors of the sea with the tradition of baked pasta. In some coastal regions of Italy, it is common to find baked pasta recipes with seafood, demonstrating the versatility of Italian cuisine in combining various ingredients.

Enjoy this tasty reinterpretation of a great Italian classic!