Lasagna With Basil and Fennel

Per serving

619.2kcal
46.9гProteins
40гFats
15.9гCarbs

I've never been a big lasagna fan, but this particular version has such interesting, wonderful flavors to it that I've been known to eat an entire pan in 3 days. I've found that the amount of sauce these proportions make to be a just barely inadequate -- once or twice, I didn't have enough at the end, so my top layer of noodles was a little dry. you can remedy this by being really careful about how much sauce you use for layering, erring on the skimpy side, or you can do it my way and double the sauce recipe :) the leftover sauce is soo delicious on pasta, pizza, etc. I also like to add a few cloves of garlic to the sauce since I'm a garlic fiend.

Ingredients

8 serv.
  • mozzarella cheese, grated (about 4 cups packed)1 lb

    about 4 cups packed

  • ricotta cheese1 container

    15 ounce

  • large egg1
  • grated parmesan cheese1 1⁄2 cups
  • olive oil3 tablespoons
  • chopped onions2 cups
  • fennel seeds (I've added as much as 3 teaspoons and it's still great)1 1⁄2 teaspoons

    I've added as much as 3 teaspoons and it's still great

  • lean ground beef1 1⁄2 lbs
  • spaghetti sauce seasoning with mushroom flavors or italian seasoning2 packets

    1 1/2 ounce

  • crushed tomatoes in puree1 can

    28 ounce

  • canned low sodium chicken broth1 cup
  • dry white wine1⁄2 cup
  • no-boil lasagna noodles9

    from one 8-ounce package

  • packed fresh basil leaves2 cups

Step-by-step instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F

  2. 2

    Mix 1 cup mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, egg and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in medium bowl.

  3. 3

    Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and fennel seeds; sauté 5 minutes. Add beef; sauté 10 minutes, breaking up meat with fork. Mix in seasoning, then tomatoes, broth and wine. Cover and simmer 8 minutes. Season sauce to taste with pepper.

  4. 4

    Spoon 1 1/3 cups sauce over bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Place 3 noodles over sauce. Drop half of ricotta cheese mixture by tablespoonfuls evenly over. Top with half of basil leaves, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Continue layering with 3 noodles, 2 cups sauce, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, remaining basil, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Finish with 3 noodles, 2 cups sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese (reserve remaining sauce for another use). Cover with foil; place on baking sheet.

  5. 5

    Bake lasagna until heated through, about 1 hour. Uncover; let stand 15 minutes. Cut lasagna into squares.

Source: food.com
Original recipe

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