Name: World’s Best Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: PT-493575H47M55S
Total time: PT-493575H47M55S
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound sweet Italian sausage; ¾ pound lean ground beef; ½ cup minced onion; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce; 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste; ½ cup water; 2 tablespoons white sugar; 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided; 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves; 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon fennel seeds; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 12 lasagna noodles; 16 ounces ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; ¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced; ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

¾ pound lean ground beef

½ cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

½ cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided

1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves

1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon fennel seeds

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 large egg

¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sweet Italian sausage, ground beef, minced onion, and crushed garlic until the meat is well browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 2: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Add sugar, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Cover and simmer for about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.

Step 4: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with the egg, the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix well to bind the cheese mixture.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 lasagna noodles lengthwise over the sauce, slightly overlapping.

Step 6: Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then top with one-third of the sliced mozzarella cheese. Spoon another 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella, and sprinkle with ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 7: Repeat the layering with the remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, meat sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the cheese to avoid sticking. You can spray the foil with cooking spray for easier removal.

Step 8: Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Step 9: Let the lasagna rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes it easier to cut.

Tips & Variations

For easier assembling, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles to skip the boiling step.

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meat sauce.

Add a layer of sautéed spinach or mushrooms to incorporate extra veggies.

Use fresh herbs like basil and parsley for the best flavor.

Spray foil with cooking spray to prevent cheese from sticking when covering the lasagna.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes until warmed through and bubbly. You can also microwave individual portions, but the noodles may become softer.

To freeze lasagna, cool completely then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as above. If reheating from frozen, add extra baking time to ensure it heats thoroughly.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Bake as directed when ready to serve, adding a little extra time if baking from cold.

What can I serve with this lasagna?

This hearty lasagna pairs well with garlic bread, a fresh tomato mozzarella salad, or a simple green salad like arugula with lemon vinaigrette. Sautéed spinach or garlic butter mushrooms are also excellent side options.