Baked Beef Ziti
(from salonx’s recipe box)
Does a dinner of ziti, smothered in a rich tomato-meat sauce under a blanket of melted cheese sound light? It is! Put this Italian classic back on your menu with our easy renovations.
Now POINTS® Value: 5
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Source: weightwatchers.com
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Serves 8 people
Categories: Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked ziti
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
- 1/3 pound raw 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 canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and set aside.
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Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 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.
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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.
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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 remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.