Decadent Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna Bake
Indulge in this luscious Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna Bake, a delightful twist on the classic lasagna. Loaded with savory ground meats, fresh vegetables, and a blend of rich cheeses, this casserole offers layers of flavor that will impress family and friends alike. The comforting aroma will fill your kitchen as it bakes to bubbly perfection. Serve it alongside a vibrant salad and crispy Italian Cheese Twists for a complete feast. This dish comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
bulk Italian sausage
1/2 lb (browned)
ground beef
1/2 lb (browned)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
carrot
1 (grated)
garlic cloves
3 (pressed)
chicken stock
1 cup (for deglazing)
crushed roasted tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can
tomato sauce
1 cup (preferably Prego or Classico)
bay leaf
1
dried basil
1 teaspoon
campanelle pasta
1 lb (cooked)
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup
part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup (shredded)
parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
salt and pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the bulk Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess fat.
3
Add the chopped onion, grated carrot, and pressed garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Then, stir in the crushed roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, and dried basil. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
While the sauce simmers, cook the campanelle pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and spread the pasta evenly in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
6
Once the sauce has finished simmering, remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Pour the sauce mixture over the pasta, gently combining them together.
7
Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the top of the pasta and sauce mixture, then gently fold it in until relatively evenly distributed.
8
Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top of the casserole.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna Bake?
It is a rich pasta bake that puts a twist on classic lasagna by using campanelle pasta, ground meats, fresh vegetables, and three types of cheese.
What types of meat are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef.
How should the meat be prepared for the sauce?
Brown the sausage and beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spatula, and then drain any excess fat.
What vegetables are added to the meat mixture?
One medium chopped onion, one grated carrot, and three pressed garlic cloves are sautéed with the meat.
What is the purpose of the chicken stock?
One cup of chicken stock is used to deglaze the pan, helping to scrape up flavorful bits stuck to the bottom after sautéing.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The recipe requires one 28-ounce can of crushed roasted tomatoes.
Is there a specific tomato sauce recommended?
Yes, the recipe suggests using one cup of tomato sauce, preferably from brands like Prego or Classico.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
What dried herbs are included in the seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with one teaspoon of dried basil, a bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for one pound of campanelle pasta.
How long should the campanelle pasta be cooked?
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water for about 8 minutes until it is just al dente.
When should the bay leaf be removed?
Remove the bay leaf once the sauce has finished simmering and before you combine the sauce with the pasta.
What fresh herb is added at the end?
1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley is stirred into the sauce after simmering.
How is the ricotta cheese incorporated?
Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the pasta and sauce mixture, then gently fold it in so it is evenly distributed.
What cheeses are used for the topping?
The top of the casserole is sprinkled with one cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What size baking dish is needed?
The pasta bake should be prepared in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
How long does the lasagna bake take to cook in the oven?
It should bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
How long should the dish cool before serving?
Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven before serving.
What side dishes are recommended for this meal?
Serve the lasagna bake with a vibrant salad and crispy Italian Cheese Twists.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is designed to come together effortlessly, making it great for both weeknights and special gatherings.
Can I use part-skim cheese?
Yes, the recipe specifically lists part-skim ricotta and part-skim mozzarella cheese.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe requires three garlic cloves, which should be pressed.
Why is grated carrot included in the sauce?
The grated carrot adds a layer of flavor and texture while softening during the sautéing process.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 16 ingredients used in this dish.
Can I substitute the campanelle pasta?
While campanelle is suggested for its shape, you could likely substitute with another short pasta like fusilli or penne.
Does the sauce need to be covered while simmering?
No, the instructions state to let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
What is the texture of the finished cheese topping?
The cheese topping should be bubbly and golden brown once it is finished baking.
Is this a meat-heavy dish?
Yes, it is categorized as a 'meat lovers' dish because it features both Italian sausage and ground beef.
How should the lasagna bake be stored?
While specific storage instructions aren't provided, typically leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator.