PATSY'S MEATBALL LASAGNA

Patsy's Meatball Lasagna image

From the Chef at Patsy's on 56th Street, New York City. Patsy's Savory Meatballs #rz.137551 can be made ahead for use in this recipe.

Provided by Cucina Casalingo

Time 2h

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 1/4 lbs fresh lasagna sheets (4 by 8 inch )
coarse salt
10 cups pasta sauce (homemade or store-bought)
3 cups meatballs (1/2 recipe meatballs for Patsy)
1 1/3 cups freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaf, plus more for garnish
2 lbs sweet Italian sausage, broiled and thinly sliced
2 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/4 cups)
2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
1 large egg

Steps:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season with salt. Add lasagna sheets and cook until pliable and al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Pour 1 cup sauce into a shallow baking dish; set aside.
Cut two sheets in half lengthwise to make four 2-by-8-inch sheets; set aside.
Spread 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.
Dip half of a reserved cut sheet crosswise in the reserved sauce, and drape over a corner of the baking pan, leaving the sauce-covered end in the pan with the other half hanging over the edge.
Repeat with remaining 3 cut sheets and corners.
Line edges of pan in the same manner using full-size sheets dipped lengthwise.
Finish lining the bottom of the pan with 2 full sheets.
In a medium bowl, toss to combine meatballs with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano, and 1/4 cup basil; spread evenly in bottom of dish.
Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
In the same bowl, toss sausages with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish.
Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish.
Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup pecorino Romano with ricotta and egg; spread evenly in baking dish.
Top with 1 cup sauce.
Center pasta sheets on ricotta within 1/2-inch of the edge of dish. Brush draped lasagna with sauce, and fold over to seal and enclose.
Cover lasagna with a clean, damp kitchen towel.
Double-wrap baking dish in aluminum foil.
Place an ovenproof plate, upside down, in a large roasting pan; fill pan with 2 inches of hot water.
Place lasagna on top of plate. Bake until lasagna reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees to 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 40 minutes.
Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Garnish with remaining basil, and serve with remaining sauce, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1066.3, Fat 42.3, SaturatedFat 20.2, Cholesterol 145.2, Sodium 2342.4, Carbohydrate 110.3, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 25.1, Protein 59.2