Description

Other baked ziti recipes just don't compare to this five star recipe. It's simple to prepare, quick and so good, even your pickiest eaters will love it.

Ingredients

• Meat Sauce:
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 white onion, diced
• 8 oz. sliced mushrooms, optional
• 5 cloves minced garlic
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 T. dried basil
• 1 T. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 t. ground black pepper
• 1 lb. ziti pasta
• Cheese Topping:
• 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 8 oz. Ricotta cheese
• 1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Add olive oil to a large, deep skillet, over medium-high heat; add ground beef; brown for 5 minutes; discard excess grease. Add onions. Saute 5 - 7 minutes until onions are soft and translucent, and ground beef is cooked through.
2. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in basil, oregano, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer until pasta is ready.
3. Cook pasta in well salted boiling water, according to package directions.