Classic Italian Lasagna

Prepare the sauce by cooking bacon and onion in a large pan over medium heat until the bacon becomes crispy and the onion turns translucent, taking around 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian herbs, fennel seeds, and oregano to create a rich flavor profile. Lower the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer until it reaches the desired consistency, typically within 4 to 6 hours.

Prepare the sausage component by cooking it in a large skillet when the sauce is almost ready. Remove excess fat with paper towels and cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces for even distribution.

Create the lasagna layers by mixing ricotta cheese, milk, eggs, parsley, and oregano in a medium bowl to form a smooth mixture.

Apply the first layer of sauce by spreading 1 cup over the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Combine this with 1/3 of the lasagna noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the cooked sausage pieces, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 slices of provolone cheese, and 1/3 of the prepared sauce. Repeat this layer combination once more before topping with remaining noodles.

Finish the dish by spreading the remaining sauce over the noodles and sprinkling it with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.

Bake the lasagna in a preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours to achieve the perfect golden-brown crust and savory flavors.