Family-Favorite Baked Ziti

Step 1 -Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

Step 2 -Add the onion and the garlic and sauté until they start to soften, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3 -Add the Italian sausage and the ground beef, while crumbling, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4 -Drain off most of the fat, but reserve a little with the meat mixture to retain flavor and moisture.

Step 5 -Add the whole tomatoes with their juices, the tomato sauce, the Italian seasoning, the red pepper flakes, the salt, and the pepper to the meat mixture, stirring to combine.

Step 6 -Simmer the meat sauce until thickened, about 25-30 minutes.

Step 7 -Reserve 3-4 cups of the sauce and allow it to cool.

Step 8 -Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 9 -Combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella, the parmesan, the egg, the salt, and the pepper in a separate bowl, stirring a couple of times, but not mixing it completely.

Step 10 -Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but drain it just before it is al dente. Rinse it under cool water to stop the cooking process.

Step 11 -Pour the pasta into the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine, still allowing for large lumps.

Step 12 -Add the cooled reserved meat sauce to the pasta-cheese mixture and toss to combine.

Step 13 -In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, add 1/2 of the pasta mixture.

Step 14 -Spoon 1/2 of the remaining sauce over the top of the pasta layer.

Step 15 -Top the sauce layer with 1/2 of the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Step 16 -Repeat the layers.

Step 17 -Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes.

Step 18 -Let it stand for 5 minutes.

Step 19 -Garnish with the parsley and serve.