The Best Lasagna Ever

The Best Lasagna Ever

Ingredients

1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage

1/2 pound lean ground beef

1 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

1/4 cup water or red wine

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, spicy peppers and garlic over medium heat until browned.
2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.
3. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
4. Simmer, covered, for about 1.5 hours, stir occasionally.
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water.
7. Get a mixing bowl, add ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
9. In a 9″x 13″ baking dish spread 1.5 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of baking dish.
10. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over the meat sauce.
11. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
12. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.
13. Spoon 1.5 cups of the meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
14. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
15. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
16. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
17. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.