Best Italian Lasagna Ever!

This is the best lasagna recipe I have ever made. I had one lasagna several years ago that was out of this world and while this is not the same one, it is the closest one I have ever found. I like to make two and freeze one for later use.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 8-12
• Yields: 1 lasagna

Ingredients

• 12  lasagna noodles
• 1  lb sweet Italian sausage link
• 1  lb ground beef
• 2  tablespoons garlic (pressed or minced)
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 tablespoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sweet basil
•  pepper (to taste)
• 2  tablespoons parsley
• 20  ounces diced tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 (16 ounce) containers ricotta cheese (may use one container)
• 3⁄4 lb mozzarella cheese
• 3⁄4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1  egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Boil noodles and drain (you may also use uncooked noodles).
3. Sauté garlic, sugar and salt.
4. Add sausage and ground beef and brown, breaking into small crumbles.
5. Add basil, pepper, tomatoes and paste; simmer 20-30 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Mix together in bowl, ricotta, egg and parsley (add milk if it's too thick).
7. Layer sauce to cover bottom of pan, noodles 1/2 of ricotta mixture, 1/4 c of parmesan, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce and parmesan.
8. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
9. Uncover and bake another 25 minutes.
10. Let cool about 10-15 minutes then cut and serve.
11. Leftovers may be frozen and then heated in the oven until hot and melty.
12. Goes great with crusty garlic toast and a salad.