Date: 08-29-2009
Skinner Lasagna
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 tablespoon 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
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.
2. Use no boil noodles. A 5 minute soak in hot tap water dramatically reduces
the baking time for the no-boil noodles. Cooks tested 5 brands of no-boil
noodles and found all to be adequate although favorite is Barilla. In a mixing
bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
4. 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.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional
25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.