World's Best Lasagna

"It takes a little work, but it is worth it." This recipe has over 8000 5-star reviews.

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Step 1

* In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned.

* Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.

* Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.

* Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

* Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water.

* In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

* Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

* To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

* Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.

* Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.

* Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.

* Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

* Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

* Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

* Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

* Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.

* Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

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