Description
Maggiano’s Lasagna copycat with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and bubbly cheese. Cozy, crowd pleasing, and perfect for Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp dried basil
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese Filling:
26 oz ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Lasagna Layers:
12 lasagna noodles
16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Brown beef, sausage, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat; drain fat.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water; stir well.
3. Stir in sugar, basil, fennel, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley; cover and simmer 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Mix ricotta, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley in a bowl until smooth.
5. Cook noodles in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water.
6. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
7. Spread 1 cup meat sauce in a 9×13 inch dish; layer 3 noodles, 1/3 ricotta, 1/3 mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
8. Repeat the layering two more times.
9. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
10. Cover with foil sprayed on the underside so cheese does not stick; bake 25 minutes.
11. Remove foil and bake 25 minutes more, until golden and bubbling.
12. Rest 15 minutes before slicing for clean layers.
Notes
Tips: Season lightly between layers for balanced flavor.
For more richness, add slices of provolone or a handful of fontina.
Substitutions: Use ground turkey, chicken, or plant based crumbles instead of beef and sausage.
Make ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake before serving.
Storage: Cool, cover, and refrigerate 3 to 4 days.
Freezing: Wrap tightly; bake from frozen at 375°F for 60 to 75 minutes.
Reheating: Cover and warm at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Serve with garlic bread, Caesar or Caprese salad, and tiramisu for dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Main; Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg