Million Dollar Baked Ziti Delicious Family Meal

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)
• 1 can ricotta cheese (15 ounces)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.
5. Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
6. Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Pour in the meat sauce and mix everything together until well combined.
9. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
10. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
11. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.