World's Best Lasagna

 

This lasagna recipe takes a little work, but it is so satisfying and filling that it's worth it!

How to Make Lasagna

Making lasagna can be time-consuming, but the results are well worth the wait. You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Lasagna Ingredients

The Allrecipes community adores this lasagna recipe because it's incredibly customizable, so you can easily alter the ingredient list to suit your needs. If you want to stay true to the original recipe, though, these are the ingredients you'll need to add to your grocery list:

· Meat: This super meaty lasagna has sweet Italian sausage and lean ground beef.

· Onion and garlic: An onion and two cloves of garlic are cooked with the meat to add tons of flavor.

· Tomato products: You'll need a can of crushed tomatoes, two cans of tomato sauce, and two cans of tomato paste.

· Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar add subtle sweetness and enhance the flavor of the sauce.

· Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper.

· Lasagna noodles: Use store-bought or homemade lasagna noodles.

· Cheeses: Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese make this lasagna extra decadent.

· Egg: An egg helps bind the ricotta so it doesn't ooze out of the lasagna when you cut into it.

How to Make Lasagna Step-By-Step

Here's a very brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade lasagna:

1. Make the meat sauce.

2. Cook the noodles.

3. Make the ricotta mixture.

4. Layer the lasagna according to the recipe instructions.

5. Cover with foil and bake.

6. Let the lasagna rest before serving.

How to Layer Lasagna

The detailed layering instructions can be found in the recipe below, but this is the order you'll follow:

1. Meat sauce

2. Noodles

3. Ricotta mixture

4. Mozzarella slices

5. Meat sauce

6. Parmesan cheese

7. Repeat the layers, then top with the remaining Parmesan.

How Long to Cook Lasagna

The assembled lasagna should take about 50 minutes to cook in an oven preheated to 375 degrees F. Cover it with foil for the first 25 minutes, then let it cook uncovered for the final 25 minutes. Also, it's important to let the lasagna rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before you cut into it.

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:2 hrs 30 mins

Additional Time:15 mins

Total Time:3 hrs 15 mins

Servings:12

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

¾ pound lean ground beef

½ cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

½ cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided

1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves

1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon fennel seeds

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Season with sugar, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and pepper. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Rest lasagna for 15 minutes before serving.