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Italian Lasagna

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Italian Lasagna for Cozy Family Nights

This Italian Lasagna recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for cozy family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil can use canola oil if preferred
  • 1 medium Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 pound Ground Beef can substitute with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage choose between mild or spicy
  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes can substitute with diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar can use honey or agave as substitute
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Ricotta Mixture
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese can substitute with blended cottage cheese
  • 1 cup Sour Cream can use Greek yogurt as a substitute
  • 1 large Egg can add more cheese if not available
  • ½ cup Grated Parmesan can substitute with nutritional yeast
  • a handful Chopped Parsley can substitute with spinach
For the Lasagna Layers
  • 9 sheets Lasagna Noodles can opt for gluten-free noodles
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella or substitute with provolone or dairy-free cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Butter can substitute with olive oil or margarine

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Million Dollar Italian Lasagna
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1 finely chopped onion for about 5 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional minute. Mix in 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of Italian sausage, cooking until browned.
  3. Stir in 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and herbs. Let simmer for 20-25 minutes until thickened.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of sour cream, 1 egg, ½ cup of grated Parmesan, and a handful of chopped parsley. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom and layer with 3 lasagna noodles. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add more meat sauce and shredded mozzarella. Repeat with remaining ingredients, finishing with noodles topped with sauce and mozzarella.
  6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  7. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy the rich aroma as it cools.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 28gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Allow resting time for layers to set for easier slicing. Cook noodles al dente for the best texture.

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