Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 14.5 ounce can Rotel
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 cup - 1 cup water (your preference on consistency)
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Noodles
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
The Rest
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup ricotta cheese, divided
Instructions
Sauce
- Add Rotel, tomato sauce and tomato paste to a food processor. Blend for 15 seconds to get rid of chunks.
- Add tomato mixture, water, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to a medium sauce pan.
- Mix well and simmer for 15-20 minutes (or however long you want/need).
- Set aside when done
Noodles
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 13x9 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Melt Mozzarella cheese and cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl.
- In a small bowl, add eggs and Italian seasoning. Beat with a fork.
- Add egg mixture to cheese mixture.
- With CLEAN hands, continually squish the dough between your fingers until WELL blended. Don't worry - it will get there!
- Split dough into 2 equal parts.
- On each prepared baking sheet, spread mixture out to approximately 12x8. Meaning, you don't need to go all the way to the edges.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Let cool for about 10 minute and then cut each sheet into 8x8 and 8x4 chunks. So you'll just make one cut around the 4 inch mark and that will make the 2 perfect size sheets. You may end up trimming the edges when it is time to put it in the baking dish. I always do!
- Set aside when done.
Meat Mixture
- In a large pan, combine the ground beef, ground sausage, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook over medium-high heat until meat is fully cooked.
- Drain excess grease and add 2 cups (not the whole batch) of marinara sauce to the pan with meat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Save the remaining sauce.
Putting it all together
- Spray a deep dish 8x8 baking dish with Avocado oil or olive oil.
- Place the first noodle in the dish. Use one of the larger 8x8 pieces.
- On top of the noodle layer, add 1/3 cup ricotta cheese and spread evenly.
- Then layer 1/3 of the meat sauce, followed by 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese.
- Next place the 2 noodles that are 8x4 side by side and repeat the exact layers (noodle, ricotta, meat layer, Mozzarella).
- Finally place the remaining noodle, add ricotta and meat sauce.
- Add remaining sauce on top of meat layer.
- Finally top with last 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle with oregano (if desired).
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, then raise temperature to 375 and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Let sit for a few minutes before serving.