Ultimate Baked Ziti made with Beef, Sausage and Lots of Cheese!

When I am craving Italian food, this ultimate baked ziti is it! The combination of the beef with the sausage mixed up with all the cheese is just delicious. This dish is always popular at potlucks.

Ultimate Baked Ziti with Beef and Sausage

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

1 pound Italian Ground beef Mix

1 pound sweet Italian sausage, sliced in

to small pieces

2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce with

basil,

garlic and oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/8 cup chopped basil

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoons fennel seeds

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

15 ounces ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

16 ounces penne noodles, uncooked

12 ounces (3 cups) shredded mozzarella

cheese

Add salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Prepare Italian Ground Beef Mix .

Cut sausage into 1/2" pieces and cook sausage in a pan. Add the Italian Ground Beef Mix.

Reduce heat to medium low and add the crushed tomato sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, sugar, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Cook on low for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Mix together the meat mixture, ricotta cheese, parsley, basil, parmesan cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella.

Spray inside of casserole pan with non stick spray. Place ziti mixture into pan. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Cover and bake the ziti in the oven for approximately 30 minutes.

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