Prep Time::20 mins
Cook Time:: 1 hr 25 mins
Additional Time::10 mins
Total Time:: 1 hr 55 mins
Servings::14
Yield::1 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
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Sauce:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced
3 (15 ounce) cans tomato puree
4 ΒΌ cups water, or to taste
6 tablespoons white sugar
6 leaves fresh basil
Ziti and Filling:
2 pounds ziti
1 pound ground beef
1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons water
1 (15 ounce) can green peas, drained
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced, ends discarded
1 (16 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato puree and water; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and basil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce is cooking, bring a very large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add ground beef to cooked pasta. Mix in enough tomato sauce to lightly coat the pasta.
Mix ricotta cheese and water in a bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Spread a ladleful of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta, all of the ricotta cheese, peas, and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the sliced eggs on every section of the pasta; cover with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining pasta, Parmesan cheese, sauce, and mozzarella on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting, so slices don't fall apart.
Cook's Notes:
If you like a thicker sauce, use about 3 1/2 cups water instead.
Olive oil may be used in place of vegetable oil, if desired.
Instead of layering the peas in the casserole, you can add them to the ground beef, pasta, and sauce mixture.