Zesty Lasagna Southern Living

Indulge in the comforting layers of flavor with this Zesty Lasagna Southern Living recipe—a mouthwatering twist on a classic family favorite! Featuring a hearty blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, this lasagna is packed with bold spices like fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley for a truly elevated taste. A rich tomato-based sauce marries perfectly with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, while tender lasagna noodles hold it all together in a baked masterpiece. With its golden, bubbly top and irresistible aroma, this lasagna is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Ready in just two hours and serving up to eight, this zesty masterpiece will become your go-to comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 15 ounces Tomato sauce
• 0.5 cups Water
• 2 teaspoons Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Fennel seeds
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
• 16 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 1 Egg
• 12 Lasagna noodles
• 4 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cups Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and diced onion until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, being careful not to burn it.

Step 3

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix well.

Step 4

Add sugar, dried basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley. Mix until fully integrated and set aside.

Step 6

Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and lay them flat on a sheet of parchment paper to cool slightly.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread about 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.

Step 8

Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and about 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat this process two more times, ending with a layer of sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the dish with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil does not touch the cheese layer, and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 11

Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Zesty Lasagna Southern Living!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4051.6 grams (4051.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7116

Total Fat 330.80g	424%
Saturated Fat 154.70g	774%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.00g
Cholesterol 1338mg	446%
Sodium 12121mg	527%
Total Carbohydrate 661.70g	241%
Dietary Fiber 48.70g	174%
Total Sugars 94.50g
Protein 416.40g	833%

Vitamin D 139IU	694%
Calcium 6355mg	489%
Iron 51mg	282%
Potassium 7388mg	157%

*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: 40.8%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 36.3%