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Finished Joy Behar lasagna bubbling in a baking dish with visible sauce, cheese, and fresh basil.

Joy Behar Lasagna Recipe

This Joy Behar lasagna recipe is a classic Italian-American dish, perfect for family gatherings and comforting meals. It features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella for a symphony of flavors.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 44 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 14 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 ½ lbs sweet Italian sausage out of casings
  • 28 ounces Italian-style crushed tomatoes
  • 1 16 ounce jar marinara sauce
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh oregano or 1 1/2 tablespoons if using dried
  • ½ cup basil leaves chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • ¾ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 1 lb box lasagna noodles
  • 1 lb whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 extra large egg
  • ¼ cup parsley chopped
  • 1 lb whole milk mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese for sprinkling at end

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Large bowl
  • 9”x 12”x 2” casserole or baking pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and position the oven rack in the middle.
  2. To make the meat sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add the garlic and stir for one more minute. Then add the sausage and cook over medium-low heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until fully cooked and no longer pink.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
  6. Soak lasagna noodles in hot tap water.
  7. While the sauce is simmering, make the cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of Parmesan, the beaten egg, chopped parsley, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
  8. Ladle one third of the meat sauce into a 9”x 12”x 2” casserole or baking pan. Spread the sauce over the bottom of the dish.
  9. Add approximately half the pasta (in one layer, cover the sauce with the noodles).
  10. Top that with half the sliced mozzarella, half the cheese mixture, and one third of the sauce.
  11. Add another single layer of noodles, mozzarella, ricotta, and the remaining sauce.
  12. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan.
  13. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

This lasagna is pure comfort food. The layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella create a symphony of flavors. It's a great way to feed a crowd.
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate only and can vary significantly depending on the specific ingredients used. For accurate values, use a nutrition calculator with your specific ingredients.
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