# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb ziti pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 lb ground beef
06 - 14 oz Italian sausage, casings removed
07 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Cheese Mixture
14 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 2 tbsp 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 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until thoroughly browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, and adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - Combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley in a bowl until homogenous.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared dish. Add half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Layer remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to set the layers.
