Rita's Lasagna

Indulge in the comforting, rich flavors of Rita’s Lasagna, a classic Italian-American dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This hearty recipe layers tender lasagna noodles with a savory blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, a robust homemade tomato sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and basil, and a creamy ricotta mixture enhanced with fresh parsley and egg. Topped generously with melted mozzarella and golden Parmesan, this lasagna bakes to perfection for a bubbling, cheesy finish. With just 30 minutes of prep time and a tantalizing aroma while it cooks, Rita’s Lasagna is the ultimate make-ahead meal, serving up to eight. Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a crowd-pleasing feast everyone will love. Perfect for cozy weekends or freezing leftovers for busy weeknights, this dish is destined to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 pieces lasagna noodles
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add salt and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside on a flat surface to prevent sticking.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the meat mixture and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Step 8

Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping if necessary. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan. Top with 1/3 of the meat sauce.

Step 9

Repeat this layering process two more times, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer of sauce.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil (be sure to grease the underside of the foil with oil to prevent sticking). Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

Step 12

Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3246.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6798.9

Total Fat 330.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 146.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.9g
Cholesterol 1283.6mg	0%
Sodium 9620.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 616.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.2g	0%
Total Sugars 70.3g
Protein 386.8g	0%

Vitamin D 144.5IU	0%
Calcium 5567.8mg	0%
Iron 45.9mg	0%
Potassium 6779.2mg	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: 42.6%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 35.3%