Mom'S Special Lasagna - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water or 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1 teaspoon sugar (optional...I don't use)
1 -2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
9 lasagna noodles
1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook beef, sausage and onion until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Stir in the next 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1- 3 hours, stirring occasionally. ***This can be done up to one day ahead of time.
While sauce is cooking, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.
In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, spoon a little sauce in the bottom of casserole. Then layer in this order: 1/3 of the noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/3 of the mozzarella and 1/3 of the Parmesan. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with aluminum foil.
***This can be done ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to eat. Just leave lasagna out on counter for 30-45 minutes before baking.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 45 minutes; uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.