The best homemade cheesy baked Ziti recipe

Finely chop shallots and garlic.

Cut bacon strips into small cubes

In a saucepan, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove from the pot and set aside.

Add olive oil, heat it and add in 1 layer of ground beef and sweet Italian sausage. Sear without disturbing until dark brown colour. Flip once seared and repeat the process. Then, mash the meat with a masher or a spoon and remove it from the saucepan.

To the same saucepan, add shallots and garlic. Saute until fragrant. Add salt, herb and pepper flakes. Cook for another 20 seconds. Add a splash of beef or vegetable broth.

Mix all together with tomato paste and another broth.

Add crushed tomatoes, meat and bacon. Mix together, and add a bit of sugar. Mix together, turn the heat to low and let it cook for 30 minutes.

Cook Ziti pasta according to the package until al dente. Then, add it to the meat sauce. Mix it all together

Grate mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and mix them together.

In an oven-proof pan, place a layer of half of the pasta and meat sauce. Then, scoop half of the ricotta cheese and spread it evenly, followed by the cheese mix. Repeat the same process with the rest of the ingredients.

Place it in a preheated oven to 190°C. Bake for 35 minutes. Turn on the broiler for about 2 minutes at the end.

Let it cool, and add more parmesan or basil leaves on top. Serve and enjoy!