Is there anything more comforting than a big bowl of lasagna? Really, it is a bowl of noodles, sauce and either the vegetables or meat one adds. I think so many cultures have dishes that meld ingredients together in a way that mother’s could put a dinner on the table without slaving for hours. Lasagna is that Italian contribution. Most pasta dish are refined. This Meat Lasagna is noodles, sauce, meat and herbs layered one upon the other.
Meat Lasagna
I am not trying to sell the lasagna short. It is just such comfort food. All of these ingredients could be adding into a baking dish, mixed and cooked together and the flavor would be great. The layering does add an element of sophistication to the dish. Can a comfort food be sophisticated? What do you think? Nonetheless, it is so good.
The meat is a mixture of ground turkey (less fat) and mild turkey Italian sausage to spice it up a bit. Traditional Italian seasonings are added to the meat and then the meat is balanced with whole stewed tomatoes and some fresh basil. The dish is really easy to assemble. The lasagna is alternating flat noodles, meat, cheese, pasta sauce, more meat and more cheese. Then, it is baked to a melty, cheesy perfection.
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 29 ounce can whole tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 packages lasagna noodles
- 4 cups mozzarella, shredded
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 16 ounces ricotta
- 14 - 15 ounces of pasta sauce
- 1/4 cup pasta puree
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the box instructions. Set aside and drizzle with olive oil.
- Heat a stock pot on medium high heat. When hot, add the ground turkey and ground sausage.
- When browned, add the tomato paste and mix in.
- Next, add the tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes to let the liquid cook out and the tomatoes break down.
- Finish off the cooking of the meat by adding the basil and cook for one more minute.
- Begin by covering the bottom of the pan with the pasta sauce.
- Next add a noodle layer, followed by with some meat and finished with mozzarella and some more sauce.
- Add noodles, puree, meat and fresh mozzarella and more sauce.
- Add noodles and mozzarella.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
- Add a little more mozzarella and broil on high for 3 - 4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Browning Meat
The tomato paste, whole tomatoes and basil added.
Tomato Paste Added
Whole Tomatoes Added
Herbs Added
The sauce added to the baking dish, followed by the noodles and the ricotta.
Sauce in Pan
Noodles Ricotta Added
The first meat layer followed by the mozzarella and then the sauce added.
Meat Added
Cheese Added
Sauce Added
The second layer of meat topped with the fresh mozzarella and then finished off with the noodles and more cheese.
Meat & Fresh Mozzarella Added
Final Noodle Layer & Cheese on Top
Te Meat Lasagna taken out of the oven.
Meat Lasagna out of Oven
The final plated dish.
Meat Lasagna Plated
I love lasagna so much! Your photos are so stunning and makes me wanna have this so badly right now.
You are very kind Randy. Thx for stopping by.
So comforting, for sure! I love that you doubled up on turkey, especially with the turkey sausage. Nice!
The sausage really adds a lot of flavor.
I agree with you, lasagna is the BEST comfort food and your one is absolutely amazing. I love that you have used some turkey in here and I really love that layer of mozzarella 🙂
This looks great! I love serving a big dish like this for a family dinner. My husband will love this!
Then you need to make this for your husband.
Nothing like a classic! And I love the use of turkey here too.
By adding the sausage, nothing is lost using turkey.
The Hubby would love this dish. Lasagna is one of his favorites.
It is hearty for the man of the house.
When I think of lasagna, this is what I picture. Looks perfect.
I like your picture!
I love that you use turkey in this delicious looking lasagne, so much healthier and the ricotta is a fab idea too:-)
I always use turkey because my wife does not each much red meat. I never notice the difference.