Bolognese Lasagna with Porcini-Ricotta Filling

By kimvess

Ingredients

• 8 ounces bulk Italian sausage
• 8 ounces ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot (1 medium)
• 1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper (1 small)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 3 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
• 4 garlic, minced
• 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry red wine or chicken broth
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 15 dried lasagna noodles
• 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (4 ounces)
• Snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from bhg.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. For meat sauce, in a 4-quart Dutch oven cook sausage, ground beef, onion, carrot, sweet pepper, celery, pancetta, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is brown and onion is tender, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.

2. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, dried basil and oregano (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk and fresh basil and oregano (if using).

3. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. To assemble, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of an ungreased 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Top with three of the noodles and 2 cups of the meat sauce. Top with three more noodles and half of the Porcini-Parmesan Sauce. Repeat layering noodles, meat sauce, noodles, and Porcini-Parmesan Sauce. Top with the remaining three noodles and the remaining meat sauce.

5. Place lasagna in a foil-lined shallow baking pan; cover lasagna with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes more or until heated through. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley.

Porcini-Parmesan Sauce:

Ingredients
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1 15 ounce carton ricotta cheese
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt


Directions

1. In a small bowl combine mushrooms and enough boiling water to cover. Let stand for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Chop mushrooms; set aside.

2. In a large saucepan cook and stir garlic in butter over medium heat for 30 seconds. Stir in flour until combined. Slowly stir in milk and wine or chicken broth (milk may curdle if using wine, but sauce will appear smooth when finished). Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in mushrooms, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, and salt. Makes about 4 1/2 cups.