Baked Ziti

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. 2

   Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente (about 2 minutes less than package suggests). Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.

4. 4

   Add the diced onion to the meat and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. 6

   In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

7. 7

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

8. 8

   Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

9. 9

   Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

10. 10

    Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

11. 11

    Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to portion.