# Components:
→ 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, casing 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 (optional)
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
→ For Assembly
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until fully browned, around 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley until evenly mixed.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat layering with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving to set.
