Nicole's Best Baked Ziti

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to the boiling water and stir in pasta. Cook until just about tender to the bite, about 8 minutes (or 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions).

3. At the same time, heat a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage and beef and cook, crumbling with the back of a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and pepper flakes; cook until onion is translucent and softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Drain pasta and return to the pot. Add about 1/2 cup marinara; toss to coat and let sit until needed.

5. Add remaining marinara sauce to the browned meat mixture. Pour 1/4 cup water into each jar, shake to release any leftover sauce in the jar, and pour into the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

6. Stir ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper together in a bowl.

7. Add 2 cups meat sauce to the pasta; toss to coat.

8. Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add ½ of the pasta mixture and top with 2 cups meat sauce. Lightly dollop and spread ricotta mixture over the top and sprinkle evenly with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture, remaining meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella on top. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

9. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

   

Cook's Notes:

The pasta is undercooked on the stove by about 2 minutes, so it doesn't get mushy during baking. It will cook to the perfect texture as it absorbs more sauce baking in the oven.

You can use penne or rigatoni instead of ziti. Remember to cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than what the box calls for.

Try Rao's® homemade marinara sauce for a slow-cooked flavor.

To make ahead, complete through Step 8. Wrap and freeze or refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake time will be doubled for refrigerated dish. If you freeze it, thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight before baking.