Mama's Lasagna

Directions

1. 1
   Remove sausage meat from outer casings, chop meat.
2. 2
   In 5 quart dutch oven, over a medium high heat, saute sausage, beef, onion and garlic, stirring frequently until browned (about 20 minutes).
3. 3
   Drain excess fat.
4. 4
   Add sugar, 1 tbsp salt, basil, fennel, pepper and half of the parsley and mix well.
5. 5
   Add tomatoes, tomato paste and 1/2 cup water, mashing tomatoes with wooden spoon.
6. 6
   Bring to a boil, reduce heat; simmer, covered and stirring occasionally until thick - 1 1/2 hours.
7. 7
   Bring 3 qts.
8. 8
   water and 1 tbsp salt to a boil.
9. 9
   Add lasagna noodles, two or three at a time.
10. 10
    Return to boiling, boil uncovered and stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or just until tender.
11. 11
    Drain in colander, rinse under cold water.
12. 12
    Dry lasagna on paper towels.
13. 13
    Preheat oven to 375.
14. 14
    In medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, remaining parsley and salt.
15. 15
    Mix well.
16. 16
    In bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish, spoon 1 1/2 cups sauce.
17. 17
    Layer with 6 lasagna lengthwise and overlapping to cover.
18. 18
    Spread with half of ricotta mixture, top with a third of the mozzarella.
19. 19
    Spoon 1 1/2 cups sauce over cheese.
20. 20
    Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan.
21. 21
    Repeat layering, starting with 6 lasagna and ending with 1 1/2 cups sauce sprinkled with Parmesan.
22. 22
    Spread with remaining sauce; top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
23. 23
    Cover with non-stick foil, tucking around edges.
24. 24
    Bake 25 minutes; remove foil; bake, uncovered 25 minutes longer or until bubbly.
25. 25
    Cool for 15 minutes before cutting!