Baked Ziti

• servings: 12

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 lb Italian sausage

1 lb ground beef

28-ounce can whole tomatoes

24.5 ounce jar of marinara sauce

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 lb ziti pasta

15 ounce container of whole milk ricotta cheese

1 1/2 lb grated mozzarella

1/2 grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

2 tablespoons minced parsley

Directions

1. start cooking the pasta and preheat to 375

2. Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, sausage, and ground beef until browned. Drain off fat

3. Add tomato’s, marinara, Italian seasoning, red pepper, and half of the salt and pepper

4. Stir and let it simmer for 25-30 mins

5. Place pasta in a large bowl and ladle in 3 cups of the sauce and toss to coat the noodles. Set aside to cool

6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir the mixture until combined

7. Toss the cheese mixture in with sauce and pasta mixture. Don’t over mix

8. Add half the pasta to a large casserole dish

9. Spoon half the remaining sauce on top

10. Top with half of the mozzarella. Repeat with another round of pasta, sauce, and marinara

11. bake for 25-30 mins

12. Sprinkle with parsley

Notes

For the freezer:

1. cover the unbaked casserole with foil and freeze to up to 6 months

2. uncover and add the mozzarella on top

3. Bake with 350 F oven still covered for 1 hour 45 mins. Remove foil and bake for 10-30 mins

4. Or thaw in fridge for 24-36 hours and bake normally