Our Very Favorite Lasagna

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb sweet italian sausage (about 3 links) or 1/2 lb hot italian sausage (about 3 links)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 (28 ounce) can san marzano tomatoes, undrained and chopped
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water (if necessary)
• 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 16 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 12 no-cook lasagna noodles (approximately)

Recipe

• 1 remove sausage meat from casings and brown with ground beef, onion and garlic in a large dutch oven or sauce pot. stir frequently until well browned - about 15 minutes. add basil, oregano, half the parsley,salt, and sugar; mix well. stir in tomatoes and tomato paste, adding water if mixture is too thick. bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered and stirring occasionally, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
• 2 meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, remaining parsley, salt, half the mozzarella and half the parmesan.
• 3 when sauce is ready,preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. spoon about 1-1/2 cups sauce in bottom of pan, then layer with about 4 lasagna noodles, half the cheese mixture and about 1-1/2 cups sauce. repeat layer again, then top off with a layer of lasagna noodles. spread with remaining sauce; top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. remove foil and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes longer, or until bubbly. cool 15 minutes before slicing and serving.