Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Cheese Layer:
- 2 cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
For the Pasta Layer:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or no-boil noodles)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
Pour in the marinara sauce and diced tomatoes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Let the sauce simmer on low for about 10-15 minutes to blend the flavors.
2. Make the Creamy Cheese Mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta (or cottage cheese), softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix until smooth and well blended.
3. Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
Spread a small amount of meat sauce at the bottom of the baking dish.
Lay 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles.
Add a layer of meat sauce over the cheese mixture.
Repeat this process two more times, layering noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
For the final layer, place the remaining noodles on top, spread the last of the meat sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake the Lasagna:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Let it Rest & Serve:
Allow the lasagna to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Serve warm with garlic bread or a fresh side salad.
Cooking Time:
- Prep: 25 minutes
- Cook: 45 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: ~550-600 kcal per serving (8 servings)