# World's Best Lasagna

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

**Prep time:** 30 minutes
**Cook time:** 2 hours 30 minutes
**Additional time:** 15 minutes
**Total time:** 3 hours 15 minutes
**Servings:** 12

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## Ingredients

- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 3/4 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6.5 oz) cans canned tomato sauce
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided, or to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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## Shopping List

### 🥩 Meat & Poultry
- [ ] 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- [ ] 3/4 lb lean ground beef

### 🥬 Produce
- [ ] 1/2 cup minced onion (about 1 small onion)
- [ ] 2 cloves garlic
- [ ] Fresh parsley (need 4 tbsp chopped)

### 🧀 Dairy & Eggs
- [ ] 16 oz ricotta cheese
- [ ] 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese
- [ ] 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- [ ] 1 egg

### 🥫 Canned Goods
- [ ] 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- [ ] 2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce
- [ ] 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste

### 🍝 Pantry
- [ ] 12 lasagna noodles
- [ ] White sugar (need 2 tbsp)
- [ ] Dried basil leaves (need 1 1/2 tsp)
- [ ] Italian seasoning (need 1 tsp)
- [ ] Fennel seeds (need 1/2 tsp)
- [ ] Ground black pepper (need 1/4 tsp)
- [ ] Salt (need 1 1/2 tsp)

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## Instructions

1. **Gather all your ingredients.**

2. **Cook the meat.** Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven over medium heat until well browned.

3. **Make the sauce.** 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.

4. **Cook the noodles.** 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.

5. **Make the cheese mixture.** In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

6. **Preheat the oven.** Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

7. **Assemble the lasagna.** 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, overlapping slightly. 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.

8. **Add second layer.** 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.

9. **Bake.** Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes.

10. **Rest before serving.** Rest lasagna for 15 minutes before serving.

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## Notes

**From the Editor:** This recipe uses 2 layers of lasagna noodles by slightly overlapping 6 noodles on each layer. The video for this recipe features 3 layers, using 4 noodles on each layer that don't overlap. If you follow the video, use 1 cup of meat sauce and 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture in each layer.

**Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):** 448 calories; total fat 21g; saturated fat 10g; cholesterol 82mg; sodium 1400mg; total carbohydrate 37g; dietary fiber 4g; total sugars 9g; protein 30g; vitamin c 17mg; calcium 442mg; iron 4mg; potassium 876mg