# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 pound ground beef
06 - 14 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
07 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese Mixture
14 - 15 ounces ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
→ Assembly Toppings
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Sauté chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook thoroughly, breaking up the meat as it browns, for 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let sauce simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
06 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley until smooth and fully incorporated.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add half the cooked ziti, half the ricotta mixture, and half the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Finish by topping with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to improve texture and ease of slicing.
