Classic Lasagna Recipe

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Classic Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Classic Lasagna Recipe

Read Reviews

A definite crowd-pleaser, this classic lasagna is thick, rich and meaty with lots of cheese—just the way I like it. Even though my parents were Hungarian, I have a weakness for savory Italian foods like this. —Suzanne Barker, Bellingham, Washington

Recommended: 50 Great Ways to Make Lasagna

MAKES:

12 servings

TOTAL TIME:

Prep: 45 min. Bake: 55 min. + standing

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VERIFIED BY Taste of Home Test Kitchen

CONTEST WINNER

MAKES:

12 servings

TOTAL TIME:

Prep: 45 min. Bake: 55 min. + standing

Ingredients

1/2 pound Johnsonville® Ground Mild Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon each sugar, dried oregano and basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 cartons (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 package (12 ounces) lasagna noodles, cooked, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook the sausage, beef, onion, carrot and pepper flakes over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and remaining pepper.
In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer a fourth of the noodles, a third of the ricotta mixture, a fourth of the meat sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with the remaining noodles, sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake at 400° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Originally published as Classic Lasagna in Taste of Home June/July 1997, p29

Nutritional Facts

1 piece: 337 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.

1/2 pound Johnsonville® Ground Mild Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon each sugar, dried oregano and basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 cartons (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 package (12 ounces) lasagna noodles, cooked, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

In a large saucepan, cook the sausage, beef, onion, carrot and pepper flakes over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and remaining pepper.
In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer a fourth of the noodles, a third of the ricotta mixture, a fourth of the meat sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with the remaining noodles, sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake at 400° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.