Brent's Special - Meat Lasagna

July 18, 2019

Our Director of Dining Services, Brent Russell, CSC, CDM, CFPP, presents a five-star Italian recipe

Meat Lasagna
 

This fan-favorite meat lasagna recipe will have you feeling like a five-star Italian restaurant chef. Lasagna noodles layered with delicious cheeses, meats, and spices are sure to make your dinner guests happy! 

“This meal is a timeless classic that people love to gather around and share,” notes Brent.

This recipe will make 6 servings

What you will need:

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• ¾ pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
• ½ cup water
• 2 Tbs white sugar
• 1½ tsp dried basil leaves
• ½ tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 4 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese

How you make it:

1. In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.
3. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 Tbs salt, pepper, and 2 Tbs parsley.
4. Simmer, covered, for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
6. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water.
7. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and ½ tsp salt.
8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
9. To assemble, spread 1½ 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 1½ cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
10. Cover with foil. To prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
11. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
12. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
13. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
    
    
    Enjoy your meal!