Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook ziti until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until fully browned, roughly 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley until smooth and uniform.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
This recipe is designed for home cooks looking for a satisfying, classic Italian-American dish. Cooking pasta to al dente ensures it finishes cooking properly in the oven without becoming mushy.