Spicy Sausage Lasagna
ShareA flavorful and spicy lasagna recipe with layers of cheese, beef, veggies and hot Italian sausage.
There are exactly twenty three days left until the first day of Spring and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m not counting or anything. Even though my cats totally eat any flowers (ribbon, plastic bags and toilet paper… yes they’re weird) I might have to cave and buy some for the occasion. But don’t hold me to that because the idea of what might occur from that may prevent me from following through. I need to mount some vases and planters to the walls and ceilings well out of reach from the trouble makers. And on this occasion I definitely mean the furry variety because the non-furry variety are just as troublesome.
How is it that kids can clean a room, very unwillingly mind you but they do it anyway, but then proceed to trash it within minutes? It baffles me. I should really get over the mess, but it’s just so hard. One does need to vacuum on occasion because who knows what is under that mess. I try to at least limit the disaster to the toy room and their bedrooms. Let them live with it.
Since it’s still Winter, with more potential snow on the horizon for our area (I sure hope I’ll be able to stop saying that very soon), we’re going to go ahead and indulge in some spicy lasagna. We’ve always had pretty basic lasagna, even growing up. Layers of noodles, beef and cheese.
I thought it’d be fun to change things up by adding hot Italian sausage to the ground beef. I opted for alternating layers of a creamy seasoned ricotta mixture, a combination of seasoned spicy hot Italian sausage and ground beef with Parmesan cheese, shredded whole milk mozzarella and chunky tomato sauce. It’s a great version of a classic hearty dish.
Spicy Sausage Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper divided
- 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 C yellow onion chopped
- 3/4 C green bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 14 oz petite diced tomatoes undrained
- 12 oz jar tomato sauce
- 12-15 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 C Parmesan cheese
- 4 C whole milk mozzarella shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown beef and sausage. When meat is partially cooked, sprinkle with salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, basil, oregano and optional red pepper flakes. Toss to coat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Continue tossing and cooking over medium heat until vegetables are tender and meat is fully cooked. Carefully add the tomatoes and juice from one 14oz can. Continue cooking until all ingredients are heated through. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, in a large stockpot, bring water to a rapid boil and cook lasagna noodles according to package directions or personal preference.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Set aside a 3-quart baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, Parmesan cheese and remaining 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Drain noodles and allow them to dry on baking sheets in single layers.
- To create your lasagna, add 1/2-1C tomato sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Top off with 3 lasagna noodles. Evenly spread out the entire ricotta mixture, then top off with 3 more noodles. Add half of the meat mixture. Top off with 3 more noodles, half of the cheese and remaining meat. Add final 3 noodles, lightly coat with tomato sauce and remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes uncovered, or until cheese is bubbly and top is lightly golden.
- Cool for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Idk what I’m going to do when I have kids..I’m so OCD with being clean and messes and whatnot..omggg thinking about it gives me anxiety :) this lasagna looks so freaking good. One of the best comfort foods, in my opinion! You did an awesome job photographing it. Mine always looks like a pile of mushy pasta haha
Hahaha you’ll either go grey in minutes, get over it or drink your way through it lol jK ;) You can complain to me when it happens and I’ll understand.
holy moly this looks delicious! so glad we stumbled across your blog =)
Thanks so much and glad you found me :)
Dinner is looking up! Love this spicy sausage in there…we only buy the hot version, so this is perfect. I’m hungry for lasagna now….
Honestly – I’m suddenly craving more now too! Think I’ll have to plan another lasagna soon. :)
it’s barely 10am and I need this in my face so badly, it’s not even real
Happy to have made you hungry ha :)
I have some chicken sausage in my fridge just begging for this! YUM!
Sounds that way ;)
I haven’t had lasagna in ages! I think that needs to change…spicy sausage is the best! And kids messes in their rooms drives me nuts when I just told them to clean! At least I can close the door on it!
I’m seriously considering moving all toys to their rooms so I don’t have to deal with it. But then I’d step on them when I HAVE to go in their rooms. Lose/lose.
This looks divine!
Thanks Jessica :)
What a perfect lasagna! Hope things warm up for you soon!
Thanks Stephanie!
I’m on a spring-binge right now – I need some sunlight and spring cleaning – STAT!
I fully agree. Yesterday was non-stop gloom. I see the sun peeking out today but it’s still frigid.
Oh! I was just looking for a good lasagna recipe and this looks like it will hit the spot! :)
I have a feeling thiscould be horrifying to some, but can you use no bake lasagna noodles? That’s all I have in the house and I want lasagna now!!!
If you’re familiar with using no bake noodles, by all means go right ahead :)
Thanks for an amazing recipe – I made this for dinner this week, and it was delightful!
So glad you enjoyed it! :)
Made this for dinner tonight ! YUM-O!
Yay! Glad to hear you enjoyed it :)
Found this recipe a couple of months ago. I am actually making it, yet again, for dinner!! This is SO GOOD. So glad I found this! It will be my go-to lasagna recipe for all time! I have been sending it to everyone in my family. :)
I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it so much, Eileen! Thank you for sharing :)
Never left a comment on a recipe before, but this one was that good. Dang…
So glad you enjoyed it, Jon! Thanks for sharing! :)