Special Occasion Lasagna

I make this lasagna for special occasions.  It takes awhile, but it's my husband's favorite.  I am locked into this recipe every Christmas, birthday, anniversary, and sometimes Sundays.  :)  I enjoy making it though!  You will have leftovers for a week. 

Lasagna

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

3/4 pound lean ground beef

1 small onion , chopped

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon oregano

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 16 oz bag shredded mozarella cheese 

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Soak lasagna noodles in warm water.  Set aside.

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning,oregano, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.

 In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

It's amazing.  I really feel that the combonation of beef and sausage along with the fennel seeds make this dish perfect.