Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Stir in crushed San Marzano tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine (if using), parsley, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 2-3 hours for deeper flavor, stirring occasionally. This is the heart of our million dollar Italian lasagna recipe.
Step 4: While the sauce simmers, prepare the ricotta cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.
Step 5: If using traditional lasagna noodles, cook them according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. If using oven-ready noodles, no pre-cooking is needed.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 7: Begin assembling the lasagna. Spread about 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking and ensures a moist base for your million dollar Italian lasagna recipe.
Step 8: Arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce. You may need to overlap them slightly or break them to fit.
Step 9: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
Step 10: Top the ricotta layer with about 1.5 cups of meat sauce, then sprinkle with about 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 11: Repeat the layers: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Add a final layer of noodles, then generously cover with the remaining meat sauce and the last of the mozzarella cheese, plus a sprinkle of extra Parmesan.
Step 12: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil (you can spray the underside of the foil with non-stick spray to prevent cheese from sticking). Bake for 25 minutes.
Step 13: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last few minutes for extra browning, watching carefully.
Step 14: Let the million dollar Italian lasagna recipe rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for cleaner slices. Garnish with fresh basil.