Karen's Lasagna Recipe

This isn't your grandma's lasagna! Karen's recipe is a culinary adventure, starting with a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce that develops incredible depth over 3-5 hours. Customize it with spicy or sweet Italian sausage – the choice is yours! We've added measurements for ease, but feel free to adjust to your taste. This recipe is all about building layers of flavor, so don't be afraid to experiment! Get ready for a lasagna experience that's both comforting and exciting.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 300 mins
Calories 395.6 kcal
Protein 59g
Rating 2.5 (2 Reviews)
Karen's Lasagna 24

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Karen's Lasagna

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How to Make Karen's Lasagna

  1. In a large Dutch oven or pot, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or sweet), 1 large onion (chopped), and 4 cloves garlic (minced).
  2. Sauté over medium-high heat until the vegetables are tender and the meat is browned, about 8-10 minutes. Break up the meat with a spoon as it cooks.
  3. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in 2 (24-ounce) jars of your favorite tomato sauce, 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes (undrained), and 6 tablespoons of tomato paste.
  5. Add 1/2 cup dry red wine, 1 green bell pepper (diced), 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 3-5 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed throughout the simmering process (add more spices a little at a time).
  8. One hour before serving, stir in 10 ounces fresh spinach (chopped), 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional).
  9. While the sauce simmers, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions.
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  11. Layer the lasagna in a 9x13 inch baking dish: a thin layer of meat sauce, a layer of noodles, a thicker layer of meat sauce, 1 cup cottage cheese, a thin layer of mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup shredded), and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, ending with noodles, a layer of mozzarella cheese, and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
  12. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and some areas are lightly browned.
  13. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

61 g

Sugar

39g

Fat

49g

Carbs

6g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes Mushroom Recipes European Italian American Fall Recipes Game Day Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion For Large Groups Casseroles Main Dish Beef Eggs Dairy Pasta Oven European Dinner Party Italian Lasagna Cheese Dietary Low Carb Low In Something Meat Beef Sausage Pasta Rice And Grains Brunch Taste Mood Savory Equipment Number Of Servings