Maggiano's Lasagna
A classic Italian lasagna filled with layers of meat sauce, cheese, and pasta, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 56 ounces crushed tomatoes (2 cans) 28 ounces each
- 6 ounces tomato paste 1 can
- 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
- 0.5 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Cheese Filling
- 26 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For Assembly
- 12 pieces lasagna noodles
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cook until the onion is soft.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and parsley.
- Simmer for about 30 minutes.
Prepare the Cheese Filling
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix until smooth.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Place three lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread a third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with a third of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers two more times, ending with meat sauce and remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake the Lasagna
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
For even more flavor, let the meat sauce simmer longer than 30 minutes. Use fresh herbs if available for a brighter taste. If you want a vegetarian option, you can substitute the meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers.