Meaty Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with juice
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 1 (15 ounce) container whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 slices provolone cheese