Ellie's Extra Cheesy Lasagna

Get ready to comfort your taste buds with Ellie's Extra Cheesy Lasagna—a decadent, crowd-pleasing masterpiece that redefines homemade lasagna! Overflowing with layers of tender lasagna noodles, a rich and hearty meat sauce made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and fragrant herbs, plus a luscious ricotta blend, this dish is the epitome of Italian-inspired indulgence. But the real showstopper? The generous topping of gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese that bakes to golden, bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe offers just the right balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory goodness. Whether you're an expert cook or a novice in the kitchen, Ellie's Extra Cheesy Lasagna is your go-to recipe for ultimate comfort food satisfaction.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 sheets lasagna noodles
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, or until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Add sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and chopped parsley until smooth. Set aside.

Step 7

Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Lay 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan over the ricotta.

Step 9

Repeat the layering process (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan) two more times.

Step 10

Finish with a final layer of meat sauce and top generously with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Step 11

Cover the dish with aluminum foil, making sure to tent the foil to prevent it from sticking to the cheese.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 13

Let the lasagna cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4440.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8190.9

Total Fat 432.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 185.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 27.1g
Cholesterol 1637.9mg	0%
Sodium 13965.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 668.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.0g	0%
Total Sugars 107.0g
Protein 447.1g	0%

Vitamin D 266.9IU	0%
Calcium 6513.4mg	0%
Iron 60.2mg	0%
Potassium 8422.7mg	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: 46.6%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 32.0%