Lasagna Deliziosa

Name: Lasagna Deliziosa
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 9 uncooked lasagna noodles; 1 package (19-1/2 ounces) Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed; 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste; 1/4 cup water; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Torn fresh basil leaves, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 50 min. + standing YIELD: 12 servings.

Everyone loves this lasagna. It's often served as a birthday treat for guests. I've lightened it up a lot from the original, but no one can tell the difference! —Heather O'Neill, Troy, Ohio

Ingredients

9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 package (19-1/2 ounces) Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Torn fresh basil leaves, optional

Directions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook and crumble sausage and beef with onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.
2. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, basil, fennel and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, parsley and salt. Drain noodles and rinse in cold water. Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups meat sauce, 2/3 cup ricotta cheese mixture, 2/3 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice.
4. Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. If desired, top with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 323 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 701mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat.