Karen's Lasagna

Karen's Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, layering traditional Italian flavors with a homemade touch. This hearty recipe combines tender lasagna noodles with a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce made from ground beef, Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic spices. A creamy ricotta mixture, accented with fresh parsley and a hint of egg for silkiness, is nestled between layers of gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan cheese. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this classic lasagna delivers both flavor and nostalgia in every bite. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, Karen's Lasagna is sure to become a staple in your repertoire of Italian-inspired recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:1 mins

Total Time:31 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 sheets Lasagna noodles
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground Italian sausage
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 8 ounces Tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 1 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

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and simmer the sauce on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Spread a thin, even layer of the meat sauce onto the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Layer 4 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.

Step 9

Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 10

Add another layer of meat sauce over the mozzarella.

Step 11

Repeat the layers: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and meat sauce. End with a final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan on top.

Step 12

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.

Step 14

Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3239.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5940.6

Total Fat 247.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 1049.7mg	0%
Sodium 9213.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 651.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.1g	0%
Total Sugars 94.7g
Protein 318.7g	0%

Vitamin D 48IU	0%
Calcium 6350.1mg	0%
Iron 44.0mg	0%
Potassium 6350.9mg	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: 36.5%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 42.6%