Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 12 to 15 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until deeply browned. Drain all excess grease.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and translucent.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20–30 minutes until the sauce is thick and concentrated.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix until smooth.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat until ingredients are depleted, ending with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil (tented slightly) and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing to ensure structural stability.