Cindi's Lasagna

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Cindi's Lasagna—a mouthwatering, homemade classic that's perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep. This hearty dish layers tender lasagna noodles with a rich, savory meat sauce made from a flavorful blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, garlic, and herbs, combined with crushed tomatoes and a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. Creamy ricotta, seasoned with parsley and an egg for smoothness, is layered alongside gooey shredded mozzarella and sharp Parmesan for an irresistible balance of textures and flavors. Baked to golden perfection, this lasagna recipe offers a satisfying, melty bite in every forkful. Ready in just two hours and serving up to eight, Cindi's Lasagna will become your go-to recipe for a crowd-pleasing, Italian-inspired dinner. Keywords: homemade lasagna, Italian sausage lasagna, family dinner, comfort food recipe, cheesy baked lasagna.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 pieces lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces canned tomato paste
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup water
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and chopped onion over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water to the skillet. Stir well.

Step 6

Mix in sugar, basil, fennel seeds (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and parsley. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step 8

Spread 1½ cups of the meat sauce across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 9

Layer 4 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping them.

Step 10

Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture across the noodles, then sprinkle with ⅓ of the shredded mozzarella cheese and ⅓ of the Parmesan cheese. Top with 1⅓ cups of meat sauce.

Step 11

Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and sauce) two more times, finishing with the remaining meat sauce and cheeses on top.

Step 12

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring it does not touch the cheese to prevent sticking.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 14

Allow the lasagna to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4024.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7191.3

Total Fat 334.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 144.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 24.5g
Cholesterol 1364.7mg	0%
Sodium 12717.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 704.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.0g	0%
Total Sugars 132.6g
Protein 402.1g	0%

Vitamin D 235.2IU	0%
Calcium 4743.2mg	0%
Iron 56.7mg	0%
Potassium 9690.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.4%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 37.9%