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Beef Lasagna

INGREDIENTS:

Bolognese Sauce:
1 pound mild Italian sausage bulk or casings removed
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion chopped
1 carrot diced
1 stalk celery diced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
6-8 garlic cloves minced
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 15 oz. cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried
1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley or 1/4 cup fresh
1 tablespoon beef bouillon
1 tablespoon sugar more or less to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 tsp EACH dried thyme, salt, pepper
1 whole bay leaf

Cheese Filling:
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tablespoon dried
1 egg
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Layers
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella (4 cups)
15 classic lasagna noodles (NOT no-boil)
a fork cutting into a slice of classic lasagna

INSTRUCTIONS:
Place lasagna noodles into the bottom of a long pan. Pour hot tap water over the noodles until they are submerged. Let them soak while you prep the lasagna – at least 30 minutes.
In a Dutch oven or large pot, brown ground beef, sausage, onion, carrots and celery over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 30 more seconds. Drain grease.
Add all remaining Bolognese ingredients, cover, and bring to a boil. Remove lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until Bolognese is reduced but still saucy.

While sauce is simmering, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add all of the Cheese Filling ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined.

To assemble, lightly grease a deep 9x13 pan. Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan (layer will be thin). Place 4 noodles lengthwise and part of a 5th noodle on top to cover. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese followed by 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layer (meat, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan) 1 more time for a total of 2 complete layers. To finish, create one more layer minus the cheese mixture... noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella (1 cup) and remaining Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup). (Pan will be very full.) Tent lasagna with foil and secure tightly all around the edges.
Place lasagna pan on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

SourceURL: http://carlsbadcravings.com/lasagna/ (I modified it a little removing excess cheese mixture...)

Submitted by: Pete on November 13, 2018, 11:11 pm

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