Heat the oven to 350° F.

Start boiling water in a large pot to par-cook the lasagna noodles. Par-cook the noodles according to the instructions on the box. When you remove the noodles, coat them on both sides with a small amount of olive oil to prevent them from sticking. This will also add some flavor as well. Lay the noodles flat on a cutting board or a lined baking sheet. The noodles take about 8 minutes to par-cook.

At the same time you start the water to boil, you will cook your meat. Place a medium to large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Be sure to season well as this is crucial to the entire dish tasting good.

Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat, cooking the beef until there is no more pink, about 5-8 minutes. When almost all the beef is cooked, taste a small piece to test the flavor. If the meat needs more salt, this is the time to add it. It can't be done later.

Once the beef is finished, drain most of the grease and set the meat aside in a bowl. You want to retain about 1-2 tablespoons of the grease in the meat.

In the same pan, brown the mild Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat while it's cooking. Cook until there is no more pink, about 5-8 minutes. Put the cooked sausage in the same bowl as the beef and mix them together.

In a large mixing bowl, add the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce, fresh parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix completely through. Divide the mix in half.

In a 13x9 baking pan, place a few lasagna noodles to make one layer. This should use 4-5 noodles.

Spread 1/2 of the cheese and meat mixture evenly over the noodles.

Add another layer of noodles and spread the rest of the mixture over this layer.

Add the final layer of noodles and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of tomato sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce.

Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 45 minutes. If you like the top to be a little crispy and the cheese a little browned, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley.

Use a knife to cut the lasagna into pieces. You're ready to serve!