Mostacolli/Ziti Pasta Dish

By DDownes

Ingredients

• 1 pkg (16 oz) uncooked mostaccioli or ziti
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 jar (48 oz) spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 egg
• 1 container (15 oz) part skim ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/4 c snipped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 c grated fresh parmesan cheese, divided
• Additional snipped fresh parsley

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350
Cook pasta to package directions
Brown ground meat with the onion and garlic, then drain.
Stir in Italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce and tomatoes.
In a small bowl lightly beat egg.
Add ricotta cheese and 1 cup of the mozzerella, parsley, black pepper and 1/4 cup parmesan.
Mix 6 cups of the meat sauce with the pasta and place in a large baking bowl.
Spread ricotta mixture evenly over pasta.
Next add remaining meat sauce.
Bake 1 hour.
Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Bake 10 minutes or until bubbly.
Garnish with additional parsley.