Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

My family's favorite. This is a very meaty lasagna. We prefer it with cottage cheese, but you can easily substitute ricotta.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 24 ounces cottage cheese or 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese, divided
• 12 -15 lasagna noodles

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onion and garlic.
2. Add salt and next 5 ingredients; stirring until well mixed.
3. Simmer 1 hour.
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 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.
8. Bake at 375F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cheese mixture is thoroughly melted.