Description
A rich, multi-layered Italian-American classic featuring a savory meat sauce, three types of cheese, and perfectly tender pasta.
Ingredients
1 lb sweet Italian sausage
3/4 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (6 oz each) tomato paste
2 cans (6.5 oz each) canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp white sugar
1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: In a large Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Step 4: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Step 5: To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
Step 7: Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing to ensure the layers set.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Pasta & Noodles
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg