My Recipe Box - Classic Lasagna

 I was never a fan of lasagna. My sister made the best, but still I wasn't a fan.

Suddenly, I decided I wanted to make it!! And I enjoyed it!!

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (I used the ground steak from the market)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
15 ounce cans tomato sauce OR Passata about half a bottle but to your taste. As saucy as you would like it! 
6 ounce can water (use the jar/can) to taste
1/2 can tomato paste
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Mozzarella cheese - fresh
8 ounce ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Lasagna noodles - I use express/oven ready/no boil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, add olive oil, chopped onions and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
Add ground beef and cook until completely browned, drain fat. Return to pan.
Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, rinse and set aside. I use the ready to bake.
Lightly spray a 14 x 11½ x 2¼ baking dish (or two smaller size baking dishes) with a non stick spray then add a small amount of meat mixture in the bottom of dish. Spread around.
Add lasagna noodles (approximately 5, they will overlap onto each other). I use pre-cooked or express.
Next, spread ½ of the ricotta cheese on top of pasta.
Spoon ⅓ meat mixture on top of ricotta cheese.
Sprinkle with ½ the Parmesan cheese.
Next add ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese.
Repeat with another layer of pasta, ricotta cheese, meat mixture, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese.
Final layer is pasta, remaining meat mixture and remaining cheese.
Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with foil, cook for approximately 50-60 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes.