Zesty Baked Lasagne

Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with this Zesty Baked Lasagne, a hearty and flavor-packed dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines layers of tender lasagne noodles, a bold and savory meat sauce made with ground beef, Italian sausage, red wine, and aromatic spices, and a creamy ricotta filling infused with fresh parsley—all topped with a blanket of melted mozzarella and golden Parmesan cheese. The secret to its "zesty" kick lies in the addition of crushed red pepper flakes, creating just the right amount of heat to balance the richness. Baked to perfection and irresistibly cheesy, this classic Italian-inspired casserole is easy to assemble and serves up to 8, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite. Perfect for pairing with a fresh green salad and garlic bread, this lasagne is destined to become your go-to comfort dish for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 pieces Lasagne noodles
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pounds Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 1 cup Water
• 0.5 cup Red wine
• 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 1 large Egg
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagne noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, then drain off excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and red wine. Add sugar, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and chopped parsley until smooth.

Step 7

Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Place a layer of lasagne noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping the edges.

Step 9

Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by one-quarter of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layer with meat sauce, noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce and the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil, making sure it doesn't touch the cheese to prevent sticking.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the lasagne is bubbling and golden on top.

Step 12

Let the lasagne rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3851.2 grams (3851.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7259

Total Fat 354.90g	455%
Saturated Fat 162.40g	812%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.90g
Cholesterol 1415mg	472%
Sodium 9302mg	404%
Total Carbohydrate 642.20g	234%
Dietary Fiber 44.10g	158%
Total Sugars 90.00g
Protein 400.50g	801%

Vitamin D 145IU	723%
Calcium 6340mg	488%
Iron 49mg	274%
Potassium 7150mg	152%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.4%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 34.9%