Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Fill a large pot with water (¾ full) and bring it to a boil. Once water is boiling, add in 1 tsp. of salt, then add pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
In a Dutch oven on medium heat, add ground beef, sausage, and onion, and cook until meat is browned and onions are softened. Add minced garlic, 1 tsp. Salt and pepper, and sauté another minute. Add marinara sauce, basil, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Pour about ½ cup of the meat sauce mixture and spread evenly on the bottom of a pre-greased 9×13 deep casserole dish.
Then spoon ricotta cheese into the remaining meat sauce mixture, add the drained cooked pasta and stir a little until the pasta is coated (do not over mix).
Spoon in half of the pasta mixture into the casserole dish. Top with ½ of the shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ of the grated parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and serve.
If you love Italian food then you will love this Baked Ziti casserole! Layered with pasta, marinara sauce, ground beef, Italian sausage , and three types of cheese, it’s sure to be a family favorite at your home.
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