Beef lasagna About 8 Serves

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casing removed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance the acidity)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or cooked according to package instructions)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the Meat Sauce:

1. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until it becomes translucent.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
4. Drain excess fat from the skillet, if necessary.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add dried basil, dried oregano, sugar (if desired), and season with salt and black pepper. Mix well.
6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

For the Ricotta Filling:

7. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, eggs, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Assembling the Lasagna:

8. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. In a large pot, boil the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside.
10. In a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, start with a thin layer of meat sauce to prevent sticking.
11. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
12. Spread half of the ricotta filling over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
13. Repeat this layering process with more lasagna noodles, ricotta filling, meat sauce, and cheese.
14. Finish with a final layer of lasagna noodles, meat sauce, and a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Baking:

15. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, tented slightly to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.
16. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Cool and Serve:

17. Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
18. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Enjoy your homemade beef lasagna! It’s a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners and gatherings.