Ingredients
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1 lb lean ground beef
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1/2 cup finely chopped onion
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2 garlic cloves, crushed
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1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
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2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
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2 (6 1/2 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
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1/2 cup water
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2 tablespoons sugar
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1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
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1 tablespoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
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4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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12 lasagna noodles
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16 ounces ricotta cheese
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
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3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
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1 egg
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1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
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3/4 lb sweet Italian sausage link
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Drain and return to pot.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce,and water. Season with sugar, Basil, Fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
- Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. Dry noodles on some paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, Combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, and bake an additional 15 -20 minutes.
- Cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. This makes for easier slicing.