# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
→ Sauce Base
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (optional)
→ Seasonings
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon sugar
→ Tomato Products
12 - 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
13 - 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
→ Cheese Filling
14 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. If planning to freeze, use a freezer-safe 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until just shy of al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well and toss lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - If using meat, add Italian sausage or ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking up with a spoon until browned and completely cooked through. Drain excess grease if necessary.
05 - Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
06 - Combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella in a mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly blended and smooth.
07 - Spread 1 cup sauce across the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the pasta, then half the ricotta mixture, then half the remaining sauce. Repeat layers. Finish with remaining 1 cup mozzarella on top.
08 - For immediate baking: Bake covered at 375°F for 30 minutes, then uncover for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. For freezing: Cool completely, cover tightly with foil, label, and freeze up to 3 months. Bake frozen dish covered for 60-75 minutes, then uncover 20-25 minutes more.
09 - Allow baked ziti to stand for 10 minutes before serving to set the layers.
