- 6
Ingredients
- Streamline the prep time by cooking the pasta while sauteing the meat sauce.
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 Tb. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 (26 oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
- 3/4 tsp. salt, divided
- 1 (16 oz.) pkg. ziti
- 3 Tb. butter
- 3 Tb. all-purpose flour
- 3 c. milk
- 1 c. grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese
Preparation
Step 1
1. Saute chopped onion in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, and saute 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, stirring often, 8-10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain beef mixture, and return to pan. Stir in pasta sauce and 1/2 tsp. salt.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta in a large Dutch oven according to package directions. Drain and return to Dtuch oven.
3. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium, and cook, whisking constantly, 10 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt. Pour sauce over pasta in Dutch oven; stir until pasta is coated.
4. Transfer pasta mixture to a lightly greased 13x9" baking dish. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.