Southern Italian Lasagna

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add 1 chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of ground pork. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Once the meat is browned, stir in 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 2 tablespoons of capers (rinsed and drained), 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
5. While the sauce simmers, prepare the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until smooth.
6. To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 sheets of lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
7. Repeat the layers: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, you can spray the foil with cooking spray or place it loosely on top). Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let the lasagna sit for about 15 minutes before slicing to allow it to set. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting Southern Italian lasagna!