Grandma’s Best Lasagna Recipe

Grandma’s Best Lasagna Recipe

If you have an Italian grandmother, you know what I’m talking about when it comes to pasta, specifically lasagna.  Here is a favorite loved by all.

Ingredients for Lasagna Recipe

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1/2 pound ground beef chuck
  
• 1/2 pound ground sirloin
  
• 4 tsp minced garlic
  
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
  
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
  
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
  
• 2 28-oz cans Italian peeled tomatoes, finely chopped, juices reserved
  
• 1 28-oz can tomato puree
  
• 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• 6 thyme sprigs, tied together with kitchen string
  
• Pinch of sugar
  
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
  
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  
• 2 pounds fresh ricotta
  
• 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  
• 2 tbsp finely chopped basil
  
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 1 pound packaged whole-milk mozzarella, shredded (3 cups)
  
• 1 large egg, beaten
  
• 12 dried lasagna noodles
  

Step 1

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In large pan, break up chuck and sirloin into large chunks with olive oil.
• Stir in garlic, oregano, pepper, and tomato paste until coated.
  
• Add tomatoes and juices, tomato puree, chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme, and sugar, and bring to boil.
  
• Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
  
• While simmering, cook sausage meat in large skillet until browned, break into 1/2-inch pieces.
  
• Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs from sauce mixture.
  

Step 2

• In large bowl, mix ricotta, parsley, basil, 1/4 cup of parmesan, and 2/3 of mozzarella and beat in egg.
  
• Cook lasagna noodles and dry between layers of paper towels.

Step 3

• Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and sausage into 9×13-inch glass casserole dish.
  
• Continue layering until mixture runs out.
  
• Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  

Step 4

• Bake lasagna recipe for 45 minutes, or until golden.
  
• Let cool for 20 minutes.
  

Buon Appetito!

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