Step by step

Method

9 steps

1. 1

   Note: This recipe uses a lot of sauce, but the pasta absorbs a lot of it when it bakes. We don’t want dry pasta.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3. 3

   Combine the Ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and 1 cup (not all) mozzarella cheese and set aside.

4. 4

   Begin boiling the pasta water while you cook the meat for the sauce. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than al dente, then drain. (Be sure to time it exactly so that you don’t end up with mushy pasta.)

5. 5

   Cook and crumble the ground beef and diced onions over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt/pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute.

6. 6

   Add the marinara sauce. Stir to combine and heat through. Remove from heat.

7. 7

   Combine the drained pasta with about ¾ of the sauce mixture and transfer it to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture over the top, then the rest of the meat sauce.

8. 8

   Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Remove and top with remaining 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Increase oven temp to 400 and bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes, until the top begins to bubble and brown.

9. 9

   Garnish with parsley and serve with garlic bread with cheese.