CLASSIC MEAT LASAGNA

CLASSIC MEAT LASAGNA image

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 T EVOO
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 1/4 lb ground meat (beef, pork, and veal)
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15-oz can crushed tomatoes
2 T tomato paste
1 t dried Italian seasoning
1 t sugar
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
5 T chopped fresh basil
12 lasagna noodles (from 16-oz package)
2 eggs
1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese
3 C shredded mozzarella cheese
2 C shredded Italian cheese blend

Steps:

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crumble in ground meat and cook for an additional 8 minutes, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Drain off grease. Add tomatoes, paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer with cover slightly ajar for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer for 15 additional minutes. Stir in 3 T of the basil. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles following package directions. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium-size bowl, combine the eggs, Parmesan cheese and 2 T basil. Set aside. Spread 1 C sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place 3 cooked noodles over the sauce. Evenly spoon the Parmesan mixture over the noodles.Top with 3 more noodles and 3 C of the meat sauce. Layer 3 noodles over the sauce, then sprinkle on shredded mozzarella. Top with the 3 remaining noodles and 2 C of the meat sauce. Sprinkle shredded Italian cheese blend evenly over the last meat sauce layer and loosely cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Extra sauce can be reheated and serve on side.