Best Lasagna

Name: Best Lasagna
Ingredients: 9 lasagna noodles; 1-1/4 pounds bulk Italian sausage; 3/4 pound ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 15 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste; 2/3 cup water; 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, divided; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 3/4 teaspoon fennel seed; 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided; 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese; 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

18 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

9 lasagna noodles
1-1/4 pounds bulk Italian sausage
3/4 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
2/3 cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, divided
2 teaspoons dried basil
3/4 teaspoon fennel seed
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1

Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage, beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, breaking up meat into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain.
2

Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 3 tablespoons parsley, basil, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3

In a small bowl, mix egg, ricotta cheese, and remaining parsley and salt.
4

Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 2 cups meat sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles and a third of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and cheeses (dish will be full).
5

Bake, covered, 25 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.