Baked Ziti

By á-2902

Ingredients

• 1/2 med onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (26 oz) jar tomato and basil pasta sauce
• 3/4 tsp. salt, divided
• 1 (16 oz) box Barilla Ziti Pasta
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 (8 oz) pkg shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Step 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 until beef crumbles or is no longer pink. Drain mixture, and return to pan. Stir in pasta sauce and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
Cook pasta in a large Dutch oven according to package directions. Drain and return to Dutch oven.
Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper. Pour sauce over pasta in Dutch oven, stirring pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer pasta mixture to a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Top evenly with beef mix; sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.