Our Very Favorite Lasagna |
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Prep Time: 1 Minutes Cook Time: 50 Minutes |
Ready In: 51 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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I never cared for meat in my lasagna and made quite a fine one without it. However, at the prodding of my family, I decided to try a meat version and it certainly was a big hit. Initially, since I didn't care for sausage, I only used 1/2 pound, but you can mix up the measurements of ground beef and sausage to your personal preference, as long as it totals 1-1/2 pounds. Being Italian, I insist you use ricotta cheese (I personally had never heard of cottage cheese in a lasagna until this site). Finally, I use the no-cook lasagna noodles, but feel free to use whatever you like. Enjoy! Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef |
1/2 lb sweet italian sausage (about 3 links) or 1/2 lb hot italian sausage (about 3 links) |
1/2 cup chopped onion |
2 garlic cloves, minced |
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves |
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano |
1/4 cup parsley, chopped |
1 teaspoon salt |
1 teaspoon sugar |
1 (28 ounce) can san marzano tomatoes, undrained and chopped |
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste |
1/2 cup water (if necessary) |
1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese |
1 egg |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
16 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese |
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese |
12 no-cook lasagna noodles (approximately) |
Directions:
1. Remove sausage meat from casings and brown with ground beef, onion and garlic in a large Dutch oven or sauce pot. Stir frequently until well browned - about 15 minutes. Add basil, oregano, half the parsley,salt, and sugar; mix well. Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste, adding water if mixture is too thick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered and stirring occasionally, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, remaining parsley, salt, half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan.
3. When sauce is ready,preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon about 1-1/2 cups sauce in bottom of pan, then layer with about 4 lasagna noodles, half the cheese mixture and about 1-1/2 cups sauce. Repeat layer again, then top off with a layer of lasagna noodles. Spread with remaining sauce; top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes longer, or until bubbly. Cool 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
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