1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 c. chopped onions
1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 1/2 tsp. salt (omit if olives are used)
1 tsp. basil
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 pkg. pepperoni slices
1 c. green olives (opt.)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
12 oz. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 c. cottage or Ricotta cheese
2 c. Mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

Brown beef in 2 tablespoons olive oil and pour off excess. Add onions and garlic and cook until tender. Add salt, basil, bay leaf, oregano, pepper, tomato paste and sauce. Simmer 1 hour. After cooking 1 hour, add 1 cup chopped green olives if desired. Remove bay leaf. Add your choice of Ricotta or cottage cheese. (I buy whatever size most closely meets the 1 1/2 cups called for. It does not have to be exact.) Cook noodles according to directions. In a 9"x12"x2" pan (lightly greased) layer as follows: noodles, sauce, Mozzarella, noodles, sauce, pepperoni slices, Mozzarella, and Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.