Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

• 1 ¹⁄₂lbs lean ground beef
• ¹⁄₂lb Italian sausage
• 1large onion, chopped
• 2 -3garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ¹⁄₂-2teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1tablespoon dried oregano
• 1tablespoon dried basil
• 2(14 1/2 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped (or canned chopped tomatoes)
• 2(6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 24ounces cottage cheese or 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2eggs, beaten
• ¹⁄₂teaspoon pepper
• 2tablespoons parsley
• ¹⁄₂cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1lb mozzarella cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onion and garlic.
2. Add salt, pepper, parsley, oregano, basil, chopped tomatoes with juice, and tomato paste; stirring until well mixed.
3. Cover and simmer 1 hour (or longer,but watch for getting too dry).
4. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
5. Spray a 13 x 9″ baking pan with cooking spray.
6. Combine cottage cheese, eggs, pepper, 2 tablespoons parsley, Parmesan cheese and 1/2 1lb of mozzarella cheese; In a lasagna pan, layer noodles, meat sauce, and cheese mixture; repeat.
7. Top off with layer of noodles; sprinkle evenly with remaining mozzarella cheese; make sure to cover noodles completely.
8. Bake at 375F for 40-60 minutes, or until cheese mixture is thoroughly melted. (I cover w/ foil for about 40 minutes, then uncover for 15-20 minutes.
9. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.