Classic Meat Lasagna

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles (about 3/4 lb)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb mild Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jars (48 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 15 oz whole-milk ricotta
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella (12 oz)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Steps

1. 1

   1. Boil the noodles 2 minutes short of the box time; drain and lay flat so they do not stick.

2. 2

   2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high. Add the beef, sausage and onion and cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the meat, until no pink remains and it reaches 160F. Drain off excess fat. Add the garlic for 30 seconds, then the marinara and Italian seasoning. Simmer 20 minutes.

3. 3

   3. Stir the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, basil, salt and pepper together.

4. 4

   4. In a 9x13 dish layer: a thin coat of meat sauce, 4 noodles, half the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella, a third of the remaining sauce. Repeat once. Finish with 4 noodles, the last sauce and the last mozzarella.

5. 5

   5. Bake covered with foil at 375 F for 25 minutes, then uncovered 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and browned in spots.

6. 6

   6. Rest 15 minutes before cutting so the slices hold their layers.