Italian Lasagna

1 . Stage

Make the sauce: Brown bacon and onion in a large pan over medium heat until bacon is crisp and onion is translucent, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, and oregano. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until thick, 4 to 6 hours.

2 . Stage

Cook the sausage: When the sauce is almost ready, brown sausage links in a large skillet. Drain on paper towels and cut into 1-inch pieces.

3 . Stage

Make the lasagna: Mix ricotta cheese, milk, eggs, parsley, and oregano together in a medium bowl.

4 . Stage

Spread 1 cup sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan. Layer with 1/3 of the lasagna noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the sausage pieces, 2 cups mozzarella, 4 slices provolone, and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat layers once more, then top with remaining noodles. Spread remaining sauce over noodles and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.

5 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours.