Baked Ziti is a classic baked pasta dish.  It is a meat sauce baked in a dish with cheese and noodles.  A combination of three different kinds of cheese are mixed together and is not only layered but is mixed throughout creating a gooey cheesy goodness in every bite.  Now who wouldn’t love that! Then it is all baked to perfection.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 1 pound Italian Sausage*
• 1 pound Ground Beef*
• 1 can (28 Ounce Can) Whole Tomatoes, With Juice*
• 2 cans (14.5 Ounce) Tomato Sauce Or Marinara Sauce*
• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning*
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes*
•  Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces, weight Ziti Or Mostaciolli, Cooked Until Not Quite Al Dente (I used whole wheat penne)
• 1 tub (15 Ounce) Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 1-1/2 pound Mozzarella Cheese, Grated
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 whole Egg
•  Fresh Minced Parsley

* I browned 1 pound of extra lean ground beef in a pan and then added a small jar of Traditional Heart Smart Prego Sauce.  This is one of my favorite easy pasta sauces that I use if I don’t have time to make a sauce from scratch.  I still added the onion, garlic and salt and pepper to the meat

Directions

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for several minutes, or until starting to soften. Add Italian sausage and ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture.  Add tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.

After that time, remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce to a different bowl to cool down.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and 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 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 cheese. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta, the sauce, and the mozzarella.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta before serving!

Recipe from Pioneer Woman and changed slightly by Family Favorites