Description
A rich Italian-American lasagna featuring tender layers of slow-simmered meat sauce, fluffy ricotta-herb filling, and golden melted mozzarella. This professional technique and precise layering deliver restaurant-quality comfort food with a balanced, hearty flavor and structure. Perfect for family gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Ground Beef, 85% lean – 1 pound
Sweet Italian Sausage (beef or poultry) – 1 pound, casings removed
All-Purpose Flour – 1 cup (for noodle dough if homemade)
Ricotta Cheese, whole milk – 26 ounces
Mozzarella Cheese – 16 ounces, shredded
Parmesan Cheese, grated – 1 cup
Large Egg – 1
Crushed Tomatoes (San Marzano style preferred) – 2 cans (28 oz each)
Tomato Paste – 2 tablespoons
Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons
Onion, finely chopped – 1 medium
Garlic, minced – 3 cloves
Dried Basil – 1 tablespoon
Fennel Seeds, ground – 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Breadcrumbs – 1 cup (optional for noodle topping)
Pine Nuts, toasted (optional) – ½ cup
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
In a large pan, cook 85% lean ground beef and sweet Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and no pink remains
Drain excess fat, add onion and garlic, sauté until translucent
Stir in tomato paste and fennel seeds to create a rich base
Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, and salt. Simmer gently for 90 minutes
Combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and salt in a bowl to make a creamy herb filling
In a separate bowl, mix fresh mozzarella with additional Parmesan
If making homemade noodles: In a stand mixer, combine 1 cup flour and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Knead with cold water until smooth. Rest dough 30 minutes. Roll Thin, cut into sheets
Layer cooked noodles, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, mozzarella shards, and sauce in a 9×13-inch pan
End with a top layer of sauce and shredded mozzarella
Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing
Notes
Simmering the sauce for 90 minutes enhances depth of flavor
Avoid over-layering to prevent sogginess
For halal compliance, ensure sausage is not pork
Use store-bought lasagna noodles if time-sensitive
Sealed properly, lasagna keeps for 4-5 days
Freeze unbaked layers for easier storage
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 140
- Category: Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick Family Dinners
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 658
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg