How to Boil Water: Italian Sausage Lasagna

In honor of Halloween, we are having lasagna. Okay, so the fact that we are having lasagna really has nothing to do with Halloween, but whatever, it could, right? But regardless for this beautiful Halloween night we are having Italian Sausage Lasagna. We've been trying lasagna left and right lately because Rob loves lasagna and I haven't found a homemade recipe that we love yet. So I keep searching until we do. This recipe was one I found on the Betty Crocker website. And I just want to note that it's hard to find a lasagna recipe with meat, but I did and this is the one we are trying.

Ingredients:
1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes (from 28-oz can), undrained - I didn't use Muir Glen, pretty much use whatever you want to use
1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen organic tomato sauce
12 uncoooked lasagna noodles (12-oz)
1 container (15-ox) ricotta cheese or small-curd cottage cheese (2 cups) - We chose cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sausage is no longer pink, drain.

Stir in 2 teaspoons of the parsley, the basil sugar, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Heat to boiling, sitting occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered about 45 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Heat over to 350. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package

In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and the oregano.

Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture in ungreased 13x9 inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Top with 4 noodles. Spread 1 cup of the cheese mixture over noodles; spread with 1 cup of the sauce mixture. Sprinkle with 2/3 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with 4 noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, 1 cup of the sauce mixture and 2/3 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles and sauce mixture. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake about 15 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

It took quite a bit of time to make this recipe, but it was delicious. This is the lasagna recipe that we are going to go with from now on. It is definitely a rarely made meal because of all the work and time it takes but it was good. It's even going into the favorites books. If you're looking for a homemade lasagna recipe, definitely try this one. It's got a bit of a kick to it but I would seriously recommend this recipe if you like lasagna and what to try a homemade recipe.