Baked Ziti

Random cravings are fun to indulge, especially when they involve pasta. 

Baked Ziti

• 1 lb ziti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 handfuls of sliced mushrooms
  
• 2 tsp basil
• 2 tsp parlsey
• 2 tsp oregano
• salt and pepper
  
• 1 large jar tomato sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella 

Preheat oven to 350F.

Prepare noodles as per the package, making sure not to over cook them. 

While the noodles cook, brown the ground beef, making sure to stir often so it crumbles nicely. Add the onions and garlic, then stir in the basil, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper (to taste). Cook over medium heat until the noodles are cooked and drained. 

Add the meat mixture to the noodles and mix well. Pour into a 13x9 inch baking dish.  Pour tomato sauce over it all, then stir it in a bit.  

Bake 15 minutes, then add the mozzarella.  Bake an additional 5-10 minutes, until the edges are bubbly.

Next time, I'll make my own tomato sauce so I have more control over such a large aspect of the dish; I wanted a more pungent tomato taste; the jarred sauce I used was pretty weak.