# Ingredients:
→ 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 (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
# Instructions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook ziti until al dente, about 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, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through, approximately 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 and adjusting seasoning as needed.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, large egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley until smooth and evenly blended.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the ricotta mixture and half of the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Add the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce in layers. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
10 - Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
