Savory Pasta and Meat Bake

This Savory Pasta and Meat Bake is a comforting and delicious dish that combines tender pasta with flavorful meat sauce and a cheesy topping. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this bake is sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot, casings removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Pasta:

• 1 pound rigatoni, penne, or ziti
• Salt (for pasta water)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for pasta)

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Continued on the next page