# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 1½ teaspoons salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese Mixture
14 - 15 ounces ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
→ For Assembly
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook ziti until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion; cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and fully cooked, about 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. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley in a bowl; mix thoroughly.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Finish by sprinkling remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
09 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
