Lasagna

 Favorite  Personal  Comfort Italian

• 2 cans Italian-style peeled or diced tomatoes (No. 2½)
• 2 ⨯ 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups minced onions
• 6 – 8 cloves garlic
• 1 green pepper, diced
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¾ pounds lasagna noodles
• 2 cups Ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 6 basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
• 1 pound thinly sliced or crumbled Mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1. Combine the tomatoes, sauce, salt, pepper and herbs in a large pot. Start simmering these ingredients uncovered.
2. Sauté the onions, garlic and green pepper in ½ cup olive oil until golden. Add to the tomato sauce.
3. Sauté the ground chuck and sausage and ½ tsp salt. Cook until the meat loses its red color.
4. Add to tomato sauce. Simmer about 2½ hours.
5. Prepare lasagna noodles according to package directions. Add olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, ½ the Parmigiano-Reggiano, eggs, milk and basil. Mix to combine well and season with salt. Thoroughly mixing these ingredients makes it much easier to spread in an even, thin layer later.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F.
8. Put into the bottom of a 13 ⨯ 9 ⨯ 2½-inch baking dish a thin layer of sauce.
9. Place a layer of noodles, thin layer of cheese mixture, thin layer of sauce and sprinkle with some mozzarella.
10. Repeat with another layer of noodles, cheese, and sauce.
11. Add one more layer of noodles, sauce and a final covering of mozzarella and Parmesan.
12. Bake for about 40 minutes. Remove and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut for serving.

Tips

• There’s usually extra sauce left over. I either freeze the excess or use it to make a second lasagna in a smaller pan.
• Add a layer of spinach above the cheese mixture.
• Add a layer of sautéed cremini mushrooms and zucchini above the cheese mixture.