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baked ziti

This baked ziti is a cheesy, hearty pasta dish perfect for family dinners. Loaded with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese, it's a comforting classic.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ziti noodles
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage
  • 5 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley divided
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Saute garlic and onions for 2 minutes. Add ground beef and sausage; cook until browned. Drain excess fat and return to skillet.
  3. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer on low until noodles are ready. Mix half of the meat sauce with cooked noodles; reserve the rest for layering.
  4. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, pepper, and eggs. Mix well.
  5. Assemble in a 13x9 dish: pour half of meat-covered noodles, dollop half of cheese mixture, sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella, and add half of remaining meat sauce. Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
  6. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with remaining parsley and serve hot.

Notes

This baked ziti is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.