Ultimate Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna

Ingredients

- 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, finely grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Cook Meat:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add sweet Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon, about PT10M.
10 minutes

2. Add Vegetables and Aromatics:
Stir in the onion, carrot, and garlic into the meat mixture. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about PT5M.
5 minutes

3. Prepare the Sauce:
Mix in tomato paste, dried basil, and dried oregano. Cook for an additional PT2M until the paste is darkened. Add water, crushed tomatoes, sea salt, black pepper, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, lower heat, and let the sauce cook for PT30M.
30 minutes

4. Cook Lasagna Noodles:
Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay them separately on a towel to prevent sticking, PT10M.
10 minutes

5. Prepare Cheese Mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and the beaten egg. Mix until smooth. Set aside.

6. Assemble Lasagna:
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Place three lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a third of the meat sauce. Sprinkle a third of the mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layers twice more, finishing with mozzarella on top.

7. Bake the Lasagna:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for PT25M. Remove the foil and bake for an additional PT10M, until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
Total baking time is 35 minutes

8. Serve:
Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to rest for PT15M before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
15 minutes

Total Time

PT1H50M
1 hour and 50 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Italian lasagna, dinner recipe, sausage and beef lasagna, cheesy lasagna, baked pasta, homemade lasagna, lasagna with ricotta, family meal, classic lasagna, gourmet dinner

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

3100 calories

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