Classic Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Ricotta Cheese Mixture:
- 32 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Assembly:
- 1 lb lasagna noodles
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef, sausage, and chopped onion over medium heat until the meat is well browned.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.
- Add sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley.
- Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Ricotta Cheese Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, and salt. Mix well.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the meat sauce.
- Spread with one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Top with one-third of the mozzarella cheese slices.
- Spoon 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover with foil (to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese).
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
- Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your homemade tray of lasagna!
