JOY BEHAR'S LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and position the oven rack in the middle. step 2 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil To make the meat sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. step 3 1 cup Chopped Onion Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until translucent (about 5 minutes). step 4 2 Garlic Cloves Add the garlic and stir for one more minute. step 5 1/2 lbs Sweet Italian Sausage, removed from casings 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. step 6 1 28 oz can Crushed Italian Tomatoes 1 6 oz can Tomato Paste 1 16 oz jar Marinara Sauce 1/4 cup Fresh Oregano 1/2 cup Fresh Basil, chopped Sea Salt Pepper Add the crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. step 7 1/2 box Lasagna Noodles Soak lasagna noodles in hot tap water. step 8 1 lb Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated 1 extra large Egg 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley Sea Salt Pepper 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. step 9 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. step 10 1 lb Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese Then add approximately half the pasta (in one layer, cover the sauce with the noodles), half the sliced mozzarella, half the cheese mixture, and one third of the sauce. step 11 Add another single layer of noodles, mozzarella, ricotta, and the remaining sauce. step 12 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated, for garnish Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan. step 13 Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling.