Italian Meat Sauce

I’ve been make this Lasagna w/ Italian Meat Sauce for many years and it is always a crowd pleaser. This time I upped my game a little by using homemade lasagna noodles. I usually make a double recipe and make one for the freezer for a later date or as a meal for family/friends in need of an easy and tasty meal.

Ingredients:

Ricotta Cheese Filling
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbs. dried parsley, I prefer fresh parsley if available
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 Lb. or more mozzarella cheese
Italian Meat Sauce
- Follow the link to this recipe – Italian Meat Sauce

Preparations:

Italian Meat Sauce
- Prepare per linked recipe above
Ricotta Cheese Filling
- Beat eggs
- Add ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper
- Mix all together thoroughly
Assembly
- lightly spray 13 x 9 Pyrex dish with cooking oil to prevent sticking
- Layer of lasagna noodles
- Spread 1/3 to 1/2 Ricotta cheese filling
  - Depends on how many layers you can get in your pan, I try for three (3)
- Sprinkle 1/3 to 1/2 mozzarella cheese
- Ladle in 1/3 to 1/2 Italian Meat Sauce
- Repeat with layers 2 & 3
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan
- Bake 375° for 45 minutes

The lasagna can be assembled early and refrigerated or you can freeze for a later date (thaw thoroughly).

Leigh’s Austrian-born grandmother gave us her meat sauce recipe when we got married in 1985. Grandma’s only had ground beef and garlic powder, but I started adding ground Italian sausage and fresh garlic early on. Over time, I renamed this Italian Meat Sauce – It is very versatile and can be used with any type of pasta or vegetables. I also use it as my meat sauce in my Lasagna. The Lasagna post will follow this one soon, so stay tuned!

**Italian Meat Sauce Over Homemade Spaghetti**

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Italian Meat Sauce

Italian Meat Sauce – It is very versatile and can be used with any type of pasta or vegetables. I also use it as my meat sauce in my Lasagna.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Italian Meat Sauce, Italian Sauce, Spagghetti Meat Sauce

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 2 30

Servings 8 Servings

Author Thomas

Equipment

1 Sauce Pan Large

Ingredients

1 lb. Ground Beef (80/20) browned & drained
1 lb. Italian Sausage (Sweet or Spicy) browned & drained
2 tbsp. Olive Oil extra virgin
1 ea. Large Onion (Yellow or White) diced
4 ea. Garlic Cloves minced
4 cans Diced Tomatoes (16oz.)
3 cans Tomato Paste (6oz.)
8 tbsp. Dried Parsley
2 tbsp. Dried Oregano
2 tbsp. Dried Basil
2 tsp. Black Pepper Ground
2 tsp. Kosher Salt

Instructions

Add olive oil to large pan on medium heat., add onions and cook until translucent (not browned).
Add garlic and cook 3-4 minutes
Add ground beef & Italian sausage and brown. Drain of excess fat.
Add tomatoes and tomato paste and stir well on medium heat.
Add herbs and seasonings and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 2-3 hours.

**Fresh Homemade Spaghetti and Fettuccini Pasta**

The photo above is the result of my first attempt ever to make homemade pasta. It was incredibly tasty, but I’ll save my post about adventures in pasta making for another day.