Kim's Lasagna

A big baked lasagna features Italian sausage, ground beef, and 3 kinds of Italian cheeses plus a homemade red sauce for a family-pleasing dinner that's great for a big group or for company.

• 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 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

Cover bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 cup sauce. Layer 4 soaked lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese in the dish. Repeat layers twice more, ending with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover dish with aluminum foil.

Step 5

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

Step 6

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