Kim's Lasagna

This hearty lasagna has layers of rich meat sauce, baked pasta noodles, and 3 kinds of Italian cheese for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 594 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 (14 ounce) can Italian-style crushed tomatoes
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.75 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 0.5 teaspoon fennel seeds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Brown sausage and ground beef with onion and garlic in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, cooking and stirring until meat is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Stir tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian-style crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, 2 tablespoons parsley, brown sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, fennel seeds, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese into meat mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer sauce for at least 1 hour (up to 6 for best flavor). Stir occasionally.

Step 3

Beat egg in a bowl and stir ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg into egg until thoroughly combined.

Step 4

Meanwhile, place lasagna noodles into a deep bowl and cover with very hot tap water; let soak for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 4 soaked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Top with one-third of the ricotta mixture, one-third of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Step 6

Bake until lasagna noodles are tender and lasagna is bubbling, about 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese topping is lightly browned, 10 to 15 more minutes. Let lasagna stand 15 minutes before serving to make it easier to slice.