Baked Ziti with Fresh Tomatoes

Name: Baked Ziti with Fresh Tomatoes
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 cup chopped onion; 3 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 15 tomatoes); 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 8 ounces uncooked ziti; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Total Time Prep: 70 min. Bake: 30 min.

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

I prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, so it saves precious moments when we come in after working out in the fields! —Barbara Johnson, Decker, Indiana

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 15 tomatoes)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces uncooked ziti
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook ziti according to package directions; drain. Place in a large bowl. Stir in sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 375 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 851mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.

I prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, so it saves precious moments when we come in after working out in the fields! —Barbara Johnson, Decker, Indiana

Recipe Creator