MEAT SAUCE:

1 lb. Italian sausage
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. basil (whole)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 (1 lb.) can (2 c.) tomatoes
2 (6 oz.) cans (1 1/3 c.) tomato paste

Brown meat slowly. Spoon off fat. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered 1/2 hour. Stir now and then.

LASAGNE: Cook 10 ounces lasagna or wide noodles until tender in large amount of boiling, salted water. This may take 15 to 20 minutes. Drain. Rinse in cold water.

CHEESE SAUCE:

3 c. fresh Ricotta or creamy cottage cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 tbsp. parsley flakes
2 beaten eggs
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 lb. Mozzarella cheese, very thin sliced

Mix first 6 ingredients of cheese sauce. Place half the cooked noodles in a 13"x9"x2" baking dish. Spread with half the cheese filling. Cover with half the Mozzarella cheese and half the meat sauce. Repeat layers. Bake in moderate oven, 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Filling will set slightly. Makes 12 servings.