BAKED ZITI RECIPE

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 large onion, diced 
• 1 pound ground beef 
• 1 pound Italian sausage 
• Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce 
• One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice 
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound ziti
• 1 1/2 pounds mozzarella, grated 
• One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for sprinkling
• 2 eggs 
  

PROCEDURES 

• Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. 
• Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften,which takes 3-4min
• Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. 
• Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. 
• Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper
• Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
•  Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt
• Cook the ziti until not quite thick.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. 
• Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
• Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. 
• Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). 
• Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
• Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. 
• Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. 
• Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
• Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes.
•  Let wait for some few minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley
• Now serve with pleasure