Baked Beef Ziti

By Pooh

Tender noodles smothered in a rich tomato-meat sauce and nestled under melted cheese.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. uncooked ziti
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 med garlic clove(s) minced
• 1/3 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese,
• shredded

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to package
directions without added fat or salt;
drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium
saucepan over medium heat; add garlic
and saute 2 minutes. Add beef and
cook until browned, breaking up the
meat as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes
drain off any fat and return pan to
heat.
4. Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt
and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook
until herbs become fragrant, about 2
minutes. Add tomatoes and bring
mixture to a boil; reduce heat and
simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Spoon a small amount of tomato
mixture into the bottom of a 4
quart casserole dish (just enough to
cover the surface). Top with half of
the cooked ziti and then layer with
half of the remaining tomato sauce
and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Layer remaining ziti on top and top
with to remaining sauce and
mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese
is golden and bubbly, about 30 mins.

YIELDS ABOUT 1 CUP PER SERVING