Description
Hearty Italian sausage lasagna layers rich flavors between delicate pasta sheets, creating a comforting classic that celebrates Mediterranean culinary traditions. Melted cheese, savory meat, and aromatic herbs blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delicious bite of this soul-warming dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 eggs
Dairy:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Pantry & Herbs:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light olive oil coating.
- In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage and ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture and stir in minced garlic, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, allowing the herbs to release their aromatic flavors.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and combine with ricotta cheese, creating a smooth and creamy mixture for layering.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Arrange the first layer of lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping to cover the sauce base.
- Spread half of the ricotta-egg mixture evenly over the noodles, followed by a generous layer of the seasoned meat mixture.
- Sprinkle a third of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the meat layer.
- Repeat the layering process with another set of noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, meat, and another third of cheese.
- Add a final layer of noodles, top with remaining marinara sauce and the last portion of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Use lean ground meats to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the classic lasagna.
- Replace traditional pasta sheets with zucchini or eggplant slices for a low-carb, gluten-free alternative that adds extra vegetable nutrition.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding ricotta salata or mixing in some goat cheese for a unique flavor profile.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and assemble the lasagna a day before baking to enhance flavor development and make meal planning easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 688
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg