Garfield's Favorite

Garfield the comic strip cat loves lasagna. So does my husband. Finding the perfect recipe for lasagna, on the other hand, has been a challenge.

We may finally have a winner, courtesy of Paula Deen.

Lots O'Meat Lasagna

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
1 pound ground Italian sausage
1 onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1, 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano
2, 15-ounce cans tomato sauce
1, 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups Ricotta cheese
5 ounces Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Lasagna noodles
16 ounces shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350. In large saucepan, combine ground chuck, sausage, onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat until meat is browned and crumbled; drain.

Return meat to pan and add oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 30-45 minutes. Boil the noodles.

In small bowl, combine Ricotta, Parmesan, parsley and eggs.

Spoon 1/4 of sauce into bottom of a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Place lasagna noodles on top of sauce. Do not overlap noodles. Spread 1/3 of Ricotta mixture over noodles, top with 1/4 of sauce and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sauce, reserving 1/3 of mozzarella.

Bake 45 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.