Ingredients: |
Ingredients: Meat Sauce
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 lb. lean ground beef, at least 85% lean
1/2 lb. bulk sweet Italian Sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2 T tomato paste
1 tsp. dried leaf bail
1/2 tsp. dried leaf oregano
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
Kosher salt to taste
Fresh Ground pepper to taste
Ricotta Mixture
1 c. whole milk ricotta cheese
1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Baked Dish
16 oz. zita pasta
1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 to 2 T. chopped fresh parsley
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Directions: |
Directions:Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease or spray a 2 1/2- to a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Meat Sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, sausage, and onion. Cook, stirring until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is translucent.
Add the garlic to the meat mixture and cook, while stirring, for 1 minute longer.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 to 12 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
Ricotta Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until well blended.
Pasta
While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti in boiling salted water following the directions on the package.
Drain well.
Add the hot drained pasta to the bowl with the ricotta cheese mixture. Toss lightly to blend.
Add 2 cups of the meat sauce to the ziti mixture.
Assemble
Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Spread about half of the remaining meat sauce over the pasta, and then top with the Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of the remaining mozzarella.
Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
Finish with the remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
Bake
Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly around the edges. |
This recipe for Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Italian Sausage is from