Hedgiehog's Beef Lasagna

This is a wonderfully rich lasagna with a creamy bechamel sauce topping. It takes a while to assemble so I usually make it on weekends. The bechamel sauce is completely optional...that's the way I've always made it but you can omit. A Caesar or fresh green salad and garlic bread completes the meal. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• Sauce

• 1  lb lean ground beef
• 1⁄2 lb pork sausage
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 4  garlic cloves, chopped
• 3  teaspoons  italian seasoning (or use oregano, basil, parsley, etc...)
• 2  bay leaves
• 2 (14 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 12  lasagna noodles, cooked
• 3  cups  shredded mozzarella cheese

• Cheese mixture

• 1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon parsley
• 1  teaspoon  italian seasoning
• 1⁄2 cup  shredded parmesan cheese, divided

• Bechamel sauce

• 3  tablespoons butter
• 3  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3  cups milk
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  cup parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In large pot cook mince and sausage with garlic and onion; drain.
2. add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, bay leaves and sugar.
3. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about an hour.
4. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, parsley, Italian seasoning, ricotta cheese, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
5. In a pan, melt butter.
6. add flour and whisk in; let cook for a few minutes.
7. add milk bit by bit
8. add salt, pepper and garlic powder; constantly stirring.
9. Lastly, add the Parmesan and whisk to incorporate.
10. In a greased 9 x 13 baking dish spread 1 cup of meat sauce.Layer as follows:
11. noodles, meat sauce, cheese mixture, mozzarella.
12. Lastly, top with bechamel sauce and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.