BAKED ZITI WITH GROUND CHUCK AND SAUSAGE

RECIPE: BAKED ZITI (PENNE) WITH GROUND CHUCK AND SAUSAGE
SERVES 6 TO 8 PEOPLE / PREP TIME 20 MIN / BAKE 30 -35 MINUTES @ 375
#CHEF AL #THE BASIL GUY #PASTA #ITALIAN #COMEDY #COMFORT FOOD

INGREDIENTS

1 POUND PENNE PASTA
1 POUND GROUND CHUCK (LEAN GROUND BEEF)
½ POUND ITALIAN SAUSAGE
1 JAR (24) OZ GOOD MARINARA SAUCE OR HOMADE TOMATO SAUCE
1 CUP RICOTTA CHEESE
2 .5 CUPS ITALIAN CHEESE (MOZZERELLA,PROVOLONE,PARMESEAN RAMANO,FONTINA AND ASIAGOCHEESE MIXTURE)
2 TBSP OLIVE OIL
3 TBSP MINCED GARLIC
½ TSP CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES (OPTIONAL)
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
FRESH BASIL FOR GARNISH ( I AM THE BASIL GUY)
MARINARA SAUCE HOMADE, 2 CANS DICED TOMATOES WITH GARLIC,BASIL,OREGANO. BLEND TOMATOES IN FOOD PROCESSOR AND PUT IN A POT WITH 1/2 CUP SUGAR,2 TBSP FRESH CHOPPED BASIL,2 TBSP MINCED GARLIC AND SIMMER FOR 1 TO 2 HOURS, DOUBLE THIS RECIPE AND FREEZE FOR FUTURE AND IF YOU LIKE IT SAUCY ADD 2 MORE CUPS MARINARA SAUCE AND ANOTHER SCOOP OF RICOTTA,IF YOU DOUBLE IT IT WILL MAKE 2 QUARTS

DIRECTIONS
COOK PASTA UNTIL CHEF AL DENTE,DRAIN DRIZZLE WITH A LITTLE OLIVE OIL
BROWN MEAT : IN A LARGE PAN,COOK OFF GROUND CHUCK AND SAUSAGE UNTIL BROWNED. ADD GARLIC,PEPPER FLAKES,SALT AND PEPPER,I LIKE TO BROWN THEM IN CHUNKS SO ITS NICE AND HEARTY
ADD SAUCE: STIR IN MARINARA AND SIMMER 10 MINUTES
MIX IT UP IN A SEPARATE BOWL,COMBINE PASTA,MEAT SAUCE,ROCOTTA AND HALF THE CHEESEREMEMBER TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIFE AND SMELL THE BASIL
CHEF AL THE BASIL GUY
IF YOU LIKE IT WITH MORE RED SAUCE ADD 2 TO THREE CUPS MORE AND ANOTHER SCOOP OF RICOTTA BECAUSE THE PASTA WILL SOAK UP THE SAUCE


BAKE: SPREAD INTO A BAKING DISH,TOP WITH REMAINING CHEESE BAKE 30 -35 MINUTES AT 375 DEGREES UNTIL BUBBLY AND GOLDEN
FINISH: LET REST 10 MINUTES, THEN SPRINKLE WITH FRESH CHOPPED BASIL