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Kittencal's Baked Ziti Casserole

Here's how you make Kittencal's Baked Ziti Casserole
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  • Servings: 8
  • Prep: 25m
  • Cook: 45m
    • The following recipe serves 8 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • 8 ounces dry pasta (ziti or penne pasta)
  • Oil (to coat the cooked pasta use as much as you want)
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage meat (or can use use 1 pound of either)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (or adjust to heat level)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste (can use white salt)
  • Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 to 5 cups pasta sauce (for a drier casserole use 4 cups)
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided, can use more)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

  • Step 2: In a large pot cook the pasta in boiling salted water until just about halfway cooked (leave the pasta still firm, do not cook completely) drain but do not rinse.

  • Step 3: Transfer to a large bowl and mix in 2-3 tablespoons oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together; set aside and cover the bowl with a clean tea towel to prevent from drying out)

  • Step 4: In a pot or Dutch oven cook the ground and sausage meat with chili flakes, onion and bell pepper until no longer pink; drain fat.

  • Step 5: Add in the garlic; continue cooking until the meat is well browned (this may take about 10-12 minutes to brown the meat).

  • Step 6: Season with seasoned salt or white salt and ground black pepper.

  • Step 7: Stir in the pasta sauce and reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered stirring occasionally for about 25-30 minutes.

  • Step 8: Mix in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the cooked ziti or penne pasta.

  • Step 9: Transfer the mixture into baking dish.

  • Step 10: At this point you may cool and refrigerate for until ready to bake.

  • Step 11: Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven uncovered for about 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

  • Step 12: Remove from oven and sprinkle about 1 cup or more of mozzarella cheese on top then return to oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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