Mangia Lasagna

Well it was national lasagna day yesterday and I mustered up the energy to make home made lasagna, because nobody really likes the frozen stuff, right?  I had all of the ingredients because we're big fans of spaghetti and marinara / spaghetti and meatballs / tortellini and meat sauce... you get the idea.

Ingredients:

• 1.5lbs 97% ground beef
• .5lbs Italian sausage
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1lb / 4 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 egg
• 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 (6oz) can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup water
• 2tbs sugar
• 1tsp dried basil
• 1tsp dried oregano
• 1tbs kosher salt
• 1/4tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 2tbs parsley
• 2tbs olive oil

Step 1: We're going to make the meat sauce that will need to simmer for a while, so roll up your sleeves and lets go!  Keep in mind, this recipe is really close to what I use for my standard meat sauce over any pasta.  I just cut the meat to 1lb ground beef.

Meat Sauce:

• 1.5lbs 97% ground beef
• .5lbs Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 (6oz) can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup water
• 2tbs sugar
• 1tsp dried basil
• 1tsp dried oregano
• 1tbs kosher salt
• 1/4tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 2tbs parsley

In a large sauce pan, heat approx. 2tbs olive oil over medium heat.  Add chopped onions, cook through until they are clear.  Add in chopped garlic for another minute or two until fragrant.  Add in the ground beef and sausage.  Cook until browned.  Add in remaining ingredients - crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley.  Turn heat to low, simmer while preparing next steps.  Stir occasionally.

Step 2:  Use a large pot and bring lightly salted water to a boil.  Cook the lasagna noodles for 8-10 minutes.  Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.  **Side note: I tend to cook a few extra noodles or the whole box in case some of the noodles break / fall apart / the noodles are slightly smaller than the pan.  Also, be sure not to over cook, mushy noodles are a downer and they noodles will cook a bit more from oven time.  Also, now is a good time to preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 3: Ricotta cheese mixture.

15 oz ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2tsp kosher salt

2tbs parsley

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients - ricotta cheese, egg, salt, parsley.  Give it a nice stir and mix thoroughly.  Set aside.

Step 4:  Now we round up the troops and begin assembling the lasagna.  In a 9x13 baking pan begin by spooning in meat sauce to cover the bottom of the baking dish.  Next, evenly layer 6 noodles over the top of the meat sauce.  Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the noodles - I used a spatula to get the most out of the bowl and it does a decent job spreading if you have a bit of patience.  Next, sprinkle about 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the ricotta.  Spoon more meat sauce to cover the mozzarella.  At this point, you should have used nearly 1/2 of the meat sauce.  Sprinkle the parmesan cheese right on top.  Repeat layers with the noodles, remaining ricotta cheese, and mozzarella.

 

 

Last step is to throw it in the oven for a minimum of 35 minutes.  You can cook a bit longer for a crispier top.  Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.  Cut and serve!  This recipe will serve a good 5-6 adult sized portions.

What do you think?  Do you have a favorite lasagna recipe? Anything you add to yours?