Classic Lasagna

Depending on your tastes and you can make this delicious and classic lasagna recipe spicier using hot Italian sausage or just a mild regular sausage. This dish takes a while to cook but it is so amazing it worth every second spent smelling it cook in your kitchen. It is a perfect dish to make for a large group of people and super easy to change the taste depending on the people you are making it for. Wow is it great reheated!!! I love leftovers don’t you?
Ingredients -
9 lasagna noodles
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
1 Pound Bulk Italian Sausage
1 Can Sliced Mushrooms (16 ounce, drained)
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1/4 Teaspoon Dried Basil
4 Cans Tomato Sauce (15 ounce)
Salt and Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste
1 Container Ricotta Cheese
3 eggs (beaten)
1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1 Pound Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
 
Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Add ½ Teaspoon salt to a large pot of cold water.

3. Bring to a rolling boil.

4. Add the lasagna noodles and olive oil.

5. Cook until al dente or approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

6. Drain in a colander.

7. Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium heat.

8. Drain.

9. Stir in the mushrooms, garlic salt, oregano, thyme, basil, and tomato sauce.

10. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.

11. Simmer 30 minutes.

12. Meanwhile, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.

13. Ladle enough of the meat sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish to cover the bottom in a thin layer.

14. Form a layer atop the sauce with 3 of the lasagna noodles.

15. Spread about 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.

16. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture and then ladle about 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese.

17. Repeat layering twice more, topping with the remaining 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese.

18. Cover with foil.

19. Bake in preheated oven 90 minutes.

20. About the last 20 minutes remove the foil.

21. Allow to sit 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

 



Cooking Tip
Cooking Lasagna
When cooking lasagna it’s best when you put the foil over the pan to use toothpicks to hold the foil away from the cheese. That way all the gooey goodness stays on the noodles and doesn’t come off on the foil. Though I do have to say it is super fun to lick it off in secret when it comes out. Yum!

Cooking Tip
Extra Cheesy
If you want to add a little zip at the end, when you remove the foil add a little extra mozzarella and parmesan to the top. When it cooks it adds some bonus flavor and gets a little crispy and tasty.