LASAGNA WITH SAUSAGE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Let 1 quart whole milk sit on the counter until room temperature.
• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, arrange 15 dry lasagna noodles in an even layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover the noodles with hot tap water and let soak while you prepare the filling and sauce, about 30 minutes.
• If using frozen spinach, thaw 16 ounces according to package directions. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel, roll it up in the towel, and carefully squeeze out all the excess moisture.
• Dice 1 medium yellow onion. Mince 3 garlic cloves. Grate 12 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 3 cups). Finely grate 2 ounces Parmesan cheese (about 1 packed cup).
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound uncooked Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• If using fresh baby spinach, add 1 pound a few handfuls at a time and stir until just wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. If using frozen spinach, add to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. If necessary, drain off any liquid. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of the kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool while you make the béchamel sauce.
• Melt 1 stick unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until the paste is bubbling and begins to dry out slightly, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk until no lumps remain. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of the kosher salt and a pinch of ground nutmeg, and stir to combine. Remove the pot from the heat.
• Place half of the Parmesan cheese, 1 container ricotta cheese, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Drain the lasagna noodles.
• Assemble the lasagna: Place 1/4 cup béchamel sauce into the baking dish and spread into a thin, even layer. Arrange 5 of the lasagna noodles in an even layer on top of the sauce, breaking them if needed to fit (it’s OK if the noodles overlap slightly). Dollop and spread 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Spoon 1/2 of the sausage and spinach over the ricotta. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella. Dollop and spread about 1 heaping cup of the béchamel over the mozzarella.
• Repeat layering 5 more lasagna noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, the remaining sausage and spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1 heaping cup of the béchamel. Top with the remaining lasagna noodles, remaining béchamel sauce, remaining mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan.
• Bake uncovered until the cheeses are melted and lightly browned, and the sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage, beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, breaking up meat into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain., Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 3 tablespoons parsley, basil, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally., In a small bowl, mix egg, ricotta cheese and remaining 1/4 cup parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt., Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 2 cups meat sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles and a third of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and cheeses (dish will be full)., Bake, covered, 25 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.