Mom's Special Lasagna

This is a recipe that's full of flavor! I've tweaked it quite a bit, the original recipe came from Taste of Home, mom's best edition. Serve with salad and garlic bread!! Cook time includes simmering sauce first and resting time.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8-12

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

Directions

1. 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.
2. While sauce is cooking, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.
3. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
4. 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.
5. ***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.
6. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes; uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.