Ziti Pasta In Red Meat Sauce Recipe
40 servings
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Red Meat Sauce
Cheese Topping
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil the Water
In a large pot, bring 20 cups of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling water.
- 2
Cook the Pasta
Add 5 lbs of ziti pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 3
Drain the Pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Preparing Red Meat Sauce
- 4
Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, heat 1 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 cups of diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add 10 minced garlic cloves and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 5
Brown the Ground Beef
Add 5 lbs of ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- 6
Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in 4 cans of crushed tomatoes, 2 cans of tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of dried oregano, 2 tablespoons of dried basil, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of black pepper, and 2 bay leaves. Mix well to combine.
- 7
Simmer the Sauce
Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combining and Serving
- 8
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Once the sauce has simmered, add the drained ziti pasta to the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- 9
Prepare for Baking
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a large baking dish.
- 10
Add Cheese Topping
Sprinkle 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
- 11
Bake the Dish
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- 12
Serve
Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve hot. Enjoy your Ziti Pasta in Red Meat Sauce!
