Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 16 ounces dry ziti or penne
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground italian sausage
  • 2 teaspoons dried italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 28-ounce jar your favorite marinara sauce ( I use Newman's Own)
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1-1/2 cups mozzarella (or Italian Blend cheese, shredded)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan (shredded or grated)

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Prepare pasta according to package direction, drain, set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet, over medium heat, cook onion for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir for about one minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
  • Add ground beef and ground sausage to the skillet and cook until it is browned and no longer pink. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and diced tomatoes and simmer 20 minutes. Add in cubes of softened cream cheese. Stir until melted.
  • Add the pasta into a baking dish.
  • Spoon meat mixture over the pasta in the baking dish. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake covered for 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.