Ingredients: |
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 cloves Garlic, Minced (or as much as you want)
1 whole Large Onion, Diced ( I use 1/2 an onion)
1 pound Italian Sausage
1 pound Ground Beef
1 can (28 Oz. Size) Whole Tomatoes, mostly drained.
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, or Penne. Cooked Until Not Quite Al Dente
1 tub (15 Oz. Size) Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese or cottage cheese
1-1/2 pound Mozzarella Cheese, Grated (2 cups)
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 whole Egg
Cream Cheese
Fresh Minced Parsley
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Directions: |
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, 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 to the pot, and add chunks of cream cheese stir to combine. Pour the reserved meat sauce over the top. Top with the remaining mozzarella
Bake for 15- 20 minutes, or until bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
(Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta before serving!)
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This recipe for Baked Ziti is from