Traditional Lasagna

1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1/4 one white onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ~28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 ~12 oz can tomato paste
1 ~14 oz can tomato sauce
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t garlic powder
2 bay leaves
2 t dried basil, crushed
2 t dried oregano, crushed
1/4 t fresh ground black pepper
4 T fresh Italian parsley, chopped
12 lasagna noodles
16 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/4 t fresh grated nutmeg
1 pound whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 c Parmesan cheese, pre-grated is fine

In large stockpot with lid, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce and bring just to boil. Add sugar, salt, garlic powder, bay leaves, basil, oregano, pepper, and half the parsley (2 tablespoons). Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for a minimum of 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, 8 minutes maximum.

While pasta is boiling, combine ricotta cheese with egg and nutmeg in medium bowl.

When pasta has reached al dente, spread 1 1/2 c of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Remove 4 to 6 lasagna noodles from water and arrange over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with one third of shredded mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 c meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 c Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover with foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish each serving with remaining meat sauce and parsley, if desired. Serves 16.

Chef's Note: This will make a little less than double the amount of meat sauce required for a 9x13 baking dish so be prepared to have extra to serve over the top. Or, boil a whole package of lasagna noodles and make the lasagna in a large roasting pan and eat it for a month.