World's Best Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage

Instructions

1. 1

   � pound lean ground beef � cup minced onion 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 (7.5-ounce) cans canned tomato sauce 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste � cup water 2 tablespoons white sugar 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided 1 � teaspoons dried basil leaves 1 � teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning � teaspoon fennel seeds � teaspoon ground black pepper 12 lasagna noodles 16 ounces ricotta cheese 1 egg � pound mozzarella cheese, sliced � cup grated Parmesan cheese Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic in a Dutch oven over medium heat until well browned.

2. 2

   Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.

3. 3

   Season with sugar, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil, 1 tsp. salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and pepper.

4. 4

   Simmer, covered, for about 1� hours, stirring occasionally.

5. 5

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

6. 6

   Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes.

7. 7

   Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water.

8. 8

   In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and � teaspoon salt.

9. 9

   To assemble, spread 1� cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

10. 10

    Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.

11. 11

    Spread with � of the ricotta cheese mixture.

12. 12

    Top with of the mozzarella cheese slices.

13. 13

    Spoon 1� cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with � cup parmesan cheese.

14. 14

    Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

15. 15

    Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, spray foil with cooking spray.

16. 16

    Bake in the preheated 375� oven for 25 minutes.

17. 17

    Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes.

18. 18

    Rest lasagna for 15 minutes before ser ving.