BAKED ZITI RECIPE WITH GROUND BEEF RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat
• Add the sausage, breaking it up into chunks, then add the beef and cook, breaking up both meats into crumbles as they brown
• Add the garlic, onion, marjoram and red pepper flakes (if using) and season with salt and black pepper
• Cook to soften the onions, 8-10 minutes
• Add the stock and passata
• Hand-crush the canned tomatoes as you add them to the pan, then add the juices from the cans
• Bring to a bubble, reduce the heat to a low simmer
• Add the basil and simmer for 30 minutes
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta
• Salt the water and cook the pasta about 3 minutes shy of al dente
• Before draining, ladle out about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta
• Preheat the oven to 375°F
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta and 1/2 cup of the Parm
• Stir in the egg, the reserved starchy water, the drained pasta and half the sauce
• Transfer the pasta to a large baking dish (at least 9x13 inches) and top with the remaining sauce
• Cover the pasta and sauce evenly with the grated mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup Parm
• Top with the parsley and bake until browned and bubbling on top and hot through, about 30 minutes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until very al dente; drain.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes minutes. 
• Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and oregano and cook 2 minutes more, until slightly darkened. Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
• While sauce is reducing, stir to combine combine ricotta, spinach, lemon zest, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, combine sauce and pasta. Fold in ricotta mixture, leaving large clumps. Spread about half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan over the pasta. Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
• Cover with foil and bake until cheese is bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with more basil before serving.