# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta & Cheese
01 - 12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
02 - 15 ounces ricotta cheese
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Meat Sauce
06 - 1 pound ground beef, lean
07 - 1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casing removed
08 - 4 cups marinara sauce
09 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
03 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook while breaking up the meat until fully browned, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
04 - Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
05 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
06 - Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
07 - Arrange 4 sheets of uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping to cover the dish.
08 - Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, top with one-third of the mozzarella cheese, then add more meat sauce.
09 - Repeat the layering sequence: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce.
10 - Finish with the last layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
11 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
12 - Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
13 - Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
