Lasagna Deliziosa

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 pkg. (19 1/2 oz.) Italian turkey sausage links, casing removed
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 oz.) tomato paste
1/4 c. water
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. fennel seed
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 oz.) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook noodles according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook the sausage, beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.  Drain.

Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, basil, fennel and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a small bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, parsley and salt.  Drain noodles and rinse in cold water.  Spread 1 c. meat sauce into a 9x13 baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Top with 3 noodles, 2 c. meat sauce, 2/3 c. ricotta cheese mixture, 2/3 c. mozzarella cheese and 1/4 c. paremsan.  Repeat layers twice.

Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.  Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly.  Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.