Heart Lasagna
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Recipe Intro From eating_with_sandy
This Heart Lasagna is a labor of love, perfect for special occasions or a comforting family dinner. Featuring Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes and their Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, this hearty recipe layers a rich meat sauce made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and bacon, creamy ricotta cheese, and melty mozzarella. The heart-shaped noodle topping adds a festive touch that makes this lasagna as delightful to look at as it is to eat!
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Recipe Card
ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 2 ounces chopped bacon
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounce) can Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried fennel
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
ingredients
Lasagna Assembly
- 12 dried lasagna noodles
- 16 ounces fresh shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
Method
Meat Sauce
Step 1
In a bowl, combine ground beef and Italian sausage. Season with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Form into 16 large meatballs, about 55-60g each.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or similar pot. Brown meatballs in batches for about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a baking sheet.
Step 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add bacon and cook until lightly browned and crispy, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Stir in onion and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 5
Add tomato paste, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add Muir Glen Crushed and Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes, Italian seasoning, fennel, sugar, basil, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 6
Use a masher to break the meatballs into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Cheese Mixture
Step 1
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, basil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Lasagna Assembly
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and lay flat on a baking sheet.
Step 2
Spread a layer of meat sauce in a 9×13 pan. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture, followed by mozzarella and Parmesan. Add another layer of meat sauce. Repeat the process twice.
Step 3
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts out of the remaining noodles. Arrange on top of the sauce.
Step 4
Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle on remaining cheeses, leaving heart cut-outs uncovered for the sauce to show through. Bake uncovered for another 20 minutes.
Step 5
Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.