The lady and sons lasagne

1) Combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar and bay leaves in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. See Cook's Note*

2) Crumble the 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. Remove bay leaves. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

*Cook's Note: If sauce is too thin, for your taste, you can thicken it at this time by mixing 1 tablespoon of ccornflour and a 60ml of cold water. Bring sauce back to the boil. Stir in cornflour mixture, stirring constantly.

Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4.

For the lasagne:

1) Place a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 20 by 30 by 5-cm pan. Layer 1/3 of each; noodle; cottage cheese mixture, Gruyere, Swiss and Cheddar cheese. 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.

2) This may be covered and refrigerated. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and top with mozzarella and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.

*Note: If lasagne has been refrigerated, bake for 40 minutes total.