Directions

• Heat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.

• Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water (about 1 tablespoon of salt per 2 quarts) to a rolling boil. Cook the ziti until it is al dente (firm to the bite).

• Drain and Coat: Drain the pasta in a colander and toss it with a small splash of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together while you finish the sauce.

• Brown the Meat: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add your ground meat or sausage, breaking it into smaller pieces as it browns. Avoid over-stirring to ensure the meat gets a good sear. Season with a pinch of salt if using beef or pork.

• Sauté Aromatics: Once the meat is mostly cooked, stir in the chopped onions. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.

• Season and Simmer: Stir in the garlic, fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in the tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

• Final Seasoning: Taste your sauce and add salt or pepper as needed.

• Layer the Base: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce across the bottom and add small dollops of half the ricotta cheese.

• Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir a spoonful of sauce into your cooked pasta to coat it, then transfer all the pasta into the casserole dish.

• Add Cheese Topping: Pour the remaining sauce over the pasta. Dot the top with the rest of the ricotta cheese, then generously sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan over the surface.

• Bake: Place the dish in the oven uncovered. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.

• Rest and Serve: Let the ziti sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.