THE LADY AND SONS LASAGNA ( PAULA DEEN )

Steps:

• To make the sauce: In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
• Crumble the ground beef in a saucepan.
• Cook until no pink remains, then drain off the fat.
• Add the ground beef to the stockpot.
• Simmer for another 20 minutes.
• While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• If the sauce is too thin for your taste, you can thicken it up at this time by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water-- bring the sauce back to a boil and stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly.
• Remove the bay leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 350º F.
• Mix together the cottage cheese with the 1 beaten egg and the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese.
• To assemble the lasagna: Place a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9" x 13" x 2" pan.
• Layer 1/3 each of noodles, cottage cheese mixture, Gruyere, Swiss and Cheddar Cheeses.
• Pinch off small pieces of cream cheese and dot over the other cheeses.
• Add another layer of sauce.
• Repeat layering 2 to 3 times, ending with sauce.
• This may be covered and refrigerated at this point.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with the Mozarella Cheese and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Note: If the lasagna has been refrigerated, bake for 40 minutes total.
• Enjoy!