# 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 oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until fully browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Allow sauce to simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings as preferred.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix until thoroughly blended.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the cooked ziti over the sauce, then layer half of the ricotta mixture and half of the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top evenly with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for 15–20 minutes more, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before portioning and serving.
