Classic Lasagna

Classic Lasagna

There’s nothing quite like a classic lasagna to bring comfort and joy to a family meal. This timeless dish, layered with rich meats, creamy cheeses, and perfectly seasoned sauce, is sure to satisfy even the heartiest appetites. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just craving a delicious homemade meal, this recipe for Classic Lasagna is a winner every time.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 48 ounces spaghetti sauce (your favorite)
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 4 tablespoons freshly snipped)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• ¼ cup water (optional)

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Directions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the Meat
   In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and your favorite spaghetti sauce to the skillet, stirring well. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, eggs, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
4. Assemble the Lasagna
   Spread ¾ cup of the meat sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay 3 uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread ? of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with ¼ of the remaining sauce. Repeat the layers twice more, ending with a final layer of noodles, the remaining sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and the remaining Parmesan cheese.

   Tip: If your sauce is particularly thick, you can add ¼ cup of water around the edges of the pan to ensure the lasagna stays moist during baking.

5. Bake
   Cover the lasagna tightly with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray (sprayed side down to prevent sticking). Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the top layer of cheese to become golden and bubbly.
6. Rest and Serve
   Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to serve.

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Nutrition Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 80 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Calories: 540 kcal per serving

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Classic Lasagna is a meal that never disappoints. Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete, satisfying dinner. This recipe is also great for meal prepping—simply freeze individual portions for an easy weeknight meal later on. Enjoy!

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