Ingredients
or the Meat Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork optional; you can use all beef if preferred
28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine optional
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Ricotta Mixture:
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
12 lasagna noodles cooked according to package instructions and drained
3 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Extra grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and translucent.
Add the ground beef and pork. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine if using. Season with basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the better the flavor will be.
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Layer four lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping slightly to fit.
Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers two more times, ending with a layer of noodles topped with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake the Lasagna:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This resting period helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Serve:
Cut the lasagna into squares and serve warm with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.
