Hearty Meat Lasagna (Original video)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 7 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 lasagna sheets
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 16 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Brown Italian sausage and ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic, onion, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 25 minutes.
3. Cook lasagna sheets until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper for the cheese sauce.
5. In a 9x13 inch casserole dish, layer meat sauce, pasta sheets, cheese sauce, and mozzarella slices twice.
6. Top with remaining meat sauce, mozzarella slices, and Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra browning.
9. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!