Cheesy Lasagna

This dish is all about building layers of flavor through a stepwise process, resulting in a cheesy, creamy, and melty masterpiece.

Ingredients:

- Pork (country-style ribs)

- Italian sausage (spicy)

- Onions

- Carrots

- Celery

- Garlic

- White wine

- Canned crushed tomatoes

- Tomato sauce

- Tomato paste

- Herbs (Italian seasoning, dried basil)

- Sugar

- Salt and pepper

- Dry lasagna noodles

- Ricotta cheese

- Grated Parmesan and pecorino cheeses

- Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Brown the pork and Italian sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat, using a slotted spoon to remove the meat and leave the fat in the pot.

2. Sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in the reserved fat until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 25 minutes until thickened.

5. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.

6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, stopping the cooking when they're still al dente. Drain the noodles.

7. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan, and beaten eggs.

8. Assemble the lasagna by layering the sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and shredded mozzarella in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

9. Cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, until the top is browned and bubbly.

10. Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Considerations:

- Use a combination of meats, like pork and Italian sausage, to add depth of flavor to the sauce.

- Deglaze the pot with white wine to incorporate the browned bits, which contribute to the overall flavor.

- Adjust the seasonings to your personal taste, adding more or less heat with red pepper flakes if desired.

- Consider adding other vegetables, such as mushrooms, to the sauce for additional texture and flavor.

- Letting the lasagna rest before serving is crucial, as it allows the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.