Darlene's Lasagna

Indulge in the hearty, homestyle comfort of Darlene's Lasagna, a baked masterpiece that layers rich, savory flavors with a perfect balance of creamy and cheesy goodness. This classic Italian-inspired dish combines seasoned ground beef and zesty Italian sausage simmered in a robust tomato-based sauce, infused with garlic, fresh parsley, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano. Tender lasagna noodles are layered with a luscious ricotta cheese mixture, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan for a creamy, gooey finish. Baked to golden perfection with a bubbling cheesy topping, this satisfying casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions. Ready in just two hours and serving up to eight, Darlene's Lasagna is your go-to recipe for a crowd-pleasing, soul-warming meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground Italian sausage
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• 6 oz Tomato paste
• 15 oz Tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup Water
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
• 12 Lasagna noodles
• 16 oz Ricotta cheese
• 1 Egg
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet or pot, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion over medium heat until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.

Step 3

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and lay them flat on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella) two more times.

Step 7

Finish with a final layer of meat sauce and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese (approximately 1 cup) on top.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, spray the underside of the foil with non-stick cooking spray).

Step 9

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

Step 10

Let the lasagna cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3985.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6863.8

Total Fat 322.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 150.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 1348.2mg	0%
Sodium 10291.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 652.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.3g	0%
Total Sugars 94.1g
Protein 375.4g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 6106.5mg	0%
Iron 51.3mg	0%
Potassium 7433.0mg	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: 41.3%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 37.2%