Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

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

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1⁄2 lb Italian sausage or 1⁄2 lb  ground veal
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 2 -3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1  tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1  tablespoon dried oregano
• 1  tablespoon dried basil
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped (or canned chopped tomatoes)
• 12  ounces tomato paste
• 24  ounces ricotta cheese
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 2  tablespoons parsley
• 1⁄2 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 1  lb mozzarella cheese, divided
• 12 -15  lasagna noodles

Directions

1. Brown ground meat, onion and garlic.
2. Add salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, chopped tomatoes with juice, tomato paste; stirring until well mixed.
3. Cover and simmer 1 hour (or longer,but watch for getting too dry).
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 riccota cheese, eggs, pepper, 2 tablespoons parsley, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 1lb 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; make sure to cover noodles completely.
8. Bake at 375F for 40-60 minutes, or until cheese mixture is thoroughly melted. (I cover w/ foil for about 40 minutes, then uncover for 15-20 minutes.
9. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.