# What You'll Need:
→ 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 the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes, then add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook while breaking up the meat until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat as needed.
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 and adjusting seasoning as desired.
06 - In a bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley until smooth and uniform.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce over it. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Finish by topping with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
09 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
11 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes to set before serving.
