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Mmmm…who doesn’t love a nice hearty lasagna dish? Packed with noodles, cheese, and meat or veggies, these are dense bricks of ooey, gooey goodness that are just about irresistible.
When we think of the meat that is typically used in lasagna, ground beef usually comes to mind. But for this recipe, we are going to make a bit of a variation by using Italian sausage.
Read on to find out more about this easy to make, authentic Italian recipe.
Easy Sausage Lasagna
To make the lasagna, start by frying 1 lb. Italian sausage links according to package directions. Then cut the links lengthwise into 1/4” slices.
©onairda/Shutterstock.com
Next take a large skillet and combine the sausage with 26 ounces of pasta sauce and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, combine 15 ounces ricotta or cottage cheese, 1 egg, and 2 tbsp. dried Italian seasoning.
Spread 1/3 of the mixture on the bottom of a greased 13 x 9” baking dish, Then layer with 4 uncooked lasagna noodles and half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Sprinkle with 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese and top with a third of the sauce.
Layer the remaining 4 noodles ricotta cheese mixture and 2 cups of mozzarella.
Top with remaining sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Bake uncovered for 1 hour. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes and serve to your hungry crew.
Lasagna is always great to serve because it’s a real crowd-pleaser. It also contains a wide variety of food groups so there is no need to add a side although a nice salad or breadsticks will make a great complement to the meal.
This dish is also unique and authentically Italian mainly due to the addition of Italian sausage.
There are many types of sausage, but this Italian variety is a pork sausage that is seasoned with fennel. Hot red pepper flakes can be added to make the sausage ‘hot’ or sweet basil can be added to make the sausage ‘sweet’.
Choose which type of Italian sausage you would like to give your lasagna your own preferred flavoring.
Lasagna Sauce
There are many variations you can make on the lasagna recipe. One way you can give it a flavor that will set it apart is by making your own sauce.
It should be noted, that as afar as we can tell, there is no difference between lasagna sauce and spaghetti sauce. With that being established, here is a recipe for a great tasting sauce you can use for your Italian meals.
To make the recipe, start by cooking ½ lb. ground meat combined with 1 onion, 1 green pepper and 2 cloves garlic in a Dutch oven until meat is browned and veggies are tender.
Str in 3 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes undrained, 1 6 oz. can tomato paste, 2 tsp. brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. salt, ½ tsp. dried basil, ½ tsp dried thyme and 1 bay leaf.
Stir in 2 cups water or beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 ½ to2 hours until desired consistency is reached stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf and use as desired.
Another way to give this recipe a unique spin is by using Alfredo sauce instead of traditional tomato sauce. Here is a recipe for a great Alfredo you can use on your lasagna.
To make the recipe, melt ¼ cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.
Add 1 cup heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
Then add 1 clove garlic and 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese and whisk quickly. Stir in ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, add to your favorite dishes and serve.
Lasagna is a great dish to serve any time. It makes a delicious meal for your family, it’s a great holiday recipe and it’s sure to make a splash if you bring it to a potluck.
You can make any number of variations on your lasagna dish, but this Italian sausage recipe will really help set it apart.
So tell us, what’s the favorite lasagna meal in your household?
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to check out our Sausage and Peppers Rigatoni Recipe and our Pesto Broccoli Pasta Recipe.
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Easy Sausage Lasagna Recipe
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- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Description
You can make any number of variations on your lasagna dish, but this Italian sausage recipe will really help set it apart.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage links
- 26 ounces pasta sauce
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounces ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 8 lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Fry the sausage according to package directions.
- Cut sausages in half lengthwise, then into 1/4-inch slices.
- In a large skillet, combine the sausage, pasta sauce and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread one third of the pasta sauce mixture over the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.
- Layer with half of the noodles and half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Top with a third of the sauce.
- Layer with the remaining noodles, ricotta cheese mixture and mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Bake, uncovered, for about 1 hour or until noodles are tender and sauce is bubbly.
- Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serves 10.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 1 Hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com