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This recipe requires a bit of preparation time, but it's well worth it once you take a taste. Besides, knowing you're creating a culinary work of art is almost as enjoyable as savoring the fruits of your labor!

Ingredients To Gather:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 1b. ground Italian “mild” sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
  
• 1 28oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice
  
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
  
• 1 T. minced garlic
  
• 1 16 oz. box rigatoni pasta
  
• 1 15oz. tub whole mile ricotta cheese
  
• 1 egg
  
• 12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
  
• 1/4 C. grated parmesan cheese
  
• 2 T. olive oil
  
• 3 tsp. Italian seasoning
  
• pinch red pepper flakes
  
• pinch of salt and pepper

Directions To Follow:

Begin by sauteeing the onions until tender, and then add the beef and sausage and cook until browned all the way through. Drain most of the grease from the pan, then add the garlic, tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir this mixture thoroughly, then add 2 tsp. of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and the red pepper flakes. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture. Cover the rest and continue to cook, simmering on low heat for 20 minutes. Cook the pasta, and while you're doing this, combine the ricotta cheese, a beaten egg, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp. of Italian seasoning and all of the parmesan cheese. Once the pasta is cooked, combine it with the ricotta mixture and the sauce. Take a 10×13 deep sided dish and begin to layer the ingredients, starting with half of the noodles, then half of the meat and finally half of the cheese. Then repeat this and top with basil. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.

You'll know this dish is ready when the cheese should is brown and bubbly. Yum! We can already imagine how good this will taste, and we can't wait to try it for ourselves. We recommend making extra and saving it for leftovers. In fact, you might want to set aside some for yourself, because once your guests get a taste, they'll likely devour the entire thing!

Article Source: Recipe Of Today