# 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 (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
→ Assembly
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat 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, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, 3 to 4 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef and sausage to skillet. Cook, breaking up meat, until fully browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if desired), salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley until thoroughly blended.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce in sequence. Scatter 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the layers.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
10 - Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
