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Coogan's Lasagna

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Coogan's Kitchen
Coogan's Lasagna has been an evolving family favorite recipe for well over a decade now. The original recipe was gifted to Corey by his mom years ago and since then it has been tweaked into this scrumptious and easy-to-prepare version we are sharing with you!
5 from 1 vote
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Cook Time 1 hour
Sauce - Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Pasta pot
  • Large Skillet or Large Dutch Oven
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Baking dish, 9x13-inch or a deep lasagna pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1-lb box lasagna noodles
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion , diced
  • 5 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage , or substitute hot Italian sausage
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes , undrained
  • 3 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds , optional
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese , shredded
  • 1 cup parmesan , freshly grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil , chopped
  • 3-4 fresh bay leaves , whole

Ricotta Cheese Mix

  • 16 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp parsley , fresh or dried

Instructions
 

Lasagna Sauce

  • Preheat oven to 375° F.
    Cook lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, then drain the water, and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drop in the chopped onions and cook until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then brown the Italian sausage and lean ground beef in the onions and garlic mixture until the meat is no longer pink.
    Drain the fat from the meat mixture and then add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cook over medium heat. Continue stirring to mix well and then add Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, fennel, and your fresh herbs.
    Once the sauce begins to bubble, reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer.
    Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Taste test the sauce and add additional seasonings, if needed.

Ricotta Cheese Mix

  • Whisk together the ricotta, egg, salt, and parsley in a medium mixing bowl.

Assembly

  • In a 9x13-inch baking dish, cover the bottom of the dish with the meat sauce. Then layer in this order after the sauce: noodles, ricotta mix, mozzarella, meat sauce, then sprinkle with parmesan and repeat the layers ending with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top.
  • Cover with foil and cook for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
    Then remove the foil and cook for another 30 minutes.
    Remove and cool for about 15 to 20 minutes prior to cutting and serving.

Notes

Nutrition Disclaimer
 
Did you try this recipe?Snap a few pics and mention @shaylahcoogan or tag us by using #cooganskitchen!
Keyword Ground Beef Recipes, Italian Sausage Recipes, Lasagna
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!