This hearty dish combines savory meat sauce with nutritious kale for a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for family dinners, it’s comforting, flavorful, and packed with wholesome ingredients everyone will love.
Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic until the meat is nicely browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let everything come to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about an hour, stirring now and then.
While the sauce is cooking, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook them until they’re tender but still have a bit of bite—around 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped kale, and the egg until well combined.
Now for the layering: spread a little bit of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, then half of the ricotta mixture, more noodles, and most of the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle on some Parmesan, add another layer of noodles, half of the mozzarella, then noodles again, the rest of the ricotta, more noodles, and finish with the remaining meat sauce. Top everything off with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
Pop the lasagna into the oven and bake it uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, until it’s bubbly and golden on top. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing so it sets up nicely.
- Use fresh kale for the best flavor, but frozen works well in a pinch.
- Let the sauce simmer longer to deepen the flavors.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting to help it hold together.
This dish combines hearty meat sauce with nutritious kale, making it both comforting and healthy. The layers of cheese and pasta create a satisfying texture that everyone will enjoy. It’s a great way to add greens to a classic favorite.
Serve with a simple green salad and crusty bread to balance the richness. A glass of red wine or sparkling water with lemon complements the flavors nicely. Garnish with fresh basil or grated Parmesan for extra taste.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven to keep the texture intact. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
