This baked ziti recipe is layers of pasta with meat sauce and three types of cheese, all cooked together to golden brown perfection. A hearty dinner option that's perfect for feeding a crowd!
16ouncesziti pastacooked according to package directions
2cupsmozzarella cheeseshredded
2tablespoonschopped parsley
cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray.
For the sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and sausage to the pan. Season the meat with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the meat for 3 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. Add the onion to the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until meat is browned and cooked through and onion is tender. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the marinara sauce and tomato sauce to the pan and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
For the ricotta
While the sauce is simmering, stir together the ricotta, egg, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix until thoroughly blended.
For assembly
Place 1/3 of the sauce in the bottom of the pan. Add 1/2 the pasta on top of the sauce.
Place dollops of the ricotta cheese mixture over the ziti, along with 1/3 of the sauce.
Add another layer of ziti pasta, then the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top.
Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until pasta is bubbly and cheese is melted and browned.