Skillet Lasagna Dip with Pasta Chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Lay each noodle flat on a rimmed baking sheet and thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and sausage; cook, stirring often and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and wipe out the pan. Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and onion and cook until softened, about 2 more minutes. Add garlic and Italian seasoning; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and cooked meats and remove from heat.
• Dollop with ricotta cheese and pesto. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
• While dip sits, pour vegetable oil to a depth of 3 inches into a Dutch oven; heat over high heat to reach 360 degrees F (182 degrees C).
• Cut each lasagna noodle into desired shapes. Add 8 to 10 pasta pieces, one at a time to avoid them sticking together, and cook, lightly tapping under the oil and stirring with a spider tool occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove using a spider or tongs to a paper towel-lined sheet tray, and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining pasta pieces, allowing oil temperature to reach back to 360 degrees F (182 degrees C) before adding the next batch.
• Sprinkle dip with parsley and basil and serve with hot pasta chips.