# 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, 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
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onion until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up meat, until fully browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley until smooth.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, and half of the meat sauce over it. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce; then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbling.
11 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
