Best Ever Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 6 1/2 ounce cans canned tomato sauce
• 2 6 ounce cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (divided)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (divided, or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese (sliced)
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese