Lasagna with meat sauce

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. dried basil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 egg, beaten

2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 15 oz. container ricotta cheese

½ cup freshly grated parmesan

1 25-28 oz. jar pasta sauce

12-18 lasagna noodles, uncooked/no-boil

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil.  Set aside.

Brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add thyme, crushed red pepper, oregano, garlic powder and dried basil while still cooking.

Meanwhile, mix egg,  ricotta cheese,1/4 cup parmesan until well blended. Set aside.

Drain beef, return to skillet. Stir in pasta sauce. Spread 1/3 of the sauce onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with layer of lasagna noodles, second third of the sauce, and the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with remaining noodles and the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup parmesan. Spray one side of aluminum foil with cooking spray (to avoid cheese sticking) and lightly cover dish.

Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil; bake an additional 15 minutes, or until heated through. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting to serve.