Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

My family's favorite. This is a very meaty lasagna. We prefer it with cottage cheese, but you can easily substitute ricotta.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
• ½ lb Italian sausage
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 (14 ½ ounce) cans whole tomatoes , undrained and chopped
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 24 ounces cottage cheese or 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs , beaten
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese , divided
• 12 -15 lasagna noodles

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onion and garlic.
2. Add salt and next 5 ingredients; stirring until well mixed.
3. Simmer 1 hour.
4. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
5. Spray a 13 x 9" baking pan with cooking spray.
6. Combine cottage cheese, eggs, pepper, 2 tablespoons parsley, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 of mozzarella cheese; In a lasagna pan, layer noodles, meat sauce, and cheese mixture; repeat.
7. Top off with layer of noodles; sprinkle evenly with remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake at 375F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cheese mixture is thoroughly melted.

Reviews

[PixieDust]

Made this last weekend for a special family get together. It was so outstanding. My guests thought it deserved more than 5 stars. Really, the best lasagna I have ever eaten. The preparation involves a little time but it was worth it. This is the best!!

[mom of 4]

WOW!!! This was absolutely the BEST!!! I made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious. My DH had 2 BIG helpings and he LOVED it!! Definately something I will make again and again. I followed the recipie exactly and added just a bit of sugar to the sauce. I always do to tomato sauces. BRAVO.

[FruitLoop]

Oh my goodness sakes alive!!! This is without a doubt the best lasagna I have ever tasted. I can't rave about it enough. I love the mixture of ground beef and Italian sausage in the sauce. Rich, and cheesy as well. Thanks