Classic lasagna

 
                              Classic Lasagna
 
 Recipe By     : Taste of Home, June/July, 1997
 Serving Size  : 12   Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Cheese                           Italian
                 Main Dishes                      Taste Of Home
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
      1/2  pound         bulk Italian sausage
      1/2  pound         ground beef
    1 1/2  cups          diced carrot
    3      cloves        garlic -- minced
      1/4  teaspoon      crushed red pepper flakes
   56      ounces        whole tomatoes(2 -28 ounce cans) -- undrained
    2      tablespoons   tomato paste
    1      teaspoon      sugar
    1      teaspoon      dried oregano
    1      teaspoon      dried basil
    1      teaspoon      pepper -- divided
      1/2  teaspoon      salt
   30      ounces        Ricotta cheese
      3/4  cup           Parmesan cheese -- divided
    1                    egg
      1/3  cup           minced fresh parsley
   12      ounces        lasagna noodles, cooked, rinsed, drained
    2      cups          mozzarella cheese -- shredded
 
 In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook sausage, beef, onion, carrot,
 garlic and pepper flakes until meat is no longer pink and vegetalbes are
 tender; drain.  Add tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, 1/2
 teaspoon pepper and salt; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered,
 for 45 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally,  Combine ricotta, 1/2
 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, and remaining pepper. In a greased 13-in.x
 9-in.x 2-in. baking dish, layer a fourth of the noodles, a third of the
 ricotta mixture, a fourth of the ;meat sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
  Repeat layers twice.  top with the remaining noodles, sauce and Parmesan.
  Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining
 mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 10 minutes more.  Let stand 15 minutes before
 serving.  Yield:  12 servings.
 
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 NOTES : "A definite crowd-pleaser, this classic lasagna is thick, rich and
 meaty with lots of cheese-just the way I like it.  Even though my parents
 were Hungarian, I have a weakness for savory Italian foods like this."
  Submitted by Suzanne Barker, Bellingham, Washington.