Baked Pasta

Special note for this recipe, you can use any type of small pasta. I don’t know the proper name for it, just don’t use noodles, like spaghetti or angel hair. And for sure do not use your own hair!

The most common is to use ziti but really, you can use any kind, which means you can also combine all the leftover uncooked pasta to make this into a massive casserole dish. Just make sure to cook the pasta accordingly to the box, cause I know farfalle takes a bit longer than lets say elbow. Pasta should be cooked to al dente, not softer. Remember we still need to pop this whole thing for the second cook in the oven.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion –chopped

3 cloves of garlic –minced

1 lb ground beef (lean is better)

12 oz any pieces pasta –I used rotini

14.5  oz can crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup shredded FRESH mozzarella –for the sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella –for toppings

1tsp Italian seasoning (optional) sometimes you can get can tomatoes with herbs

salt and pepper to taste

Parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta according to the box (al dente).
  • Sauce:

Add olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.

Sauté chopped onion and ground beef until its brown about 5 minutes.

Add minced garlic, sauté a bit more (2minutes).

Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and grated fresh mozzarella and let it shimmer.

  • Add cooked pasta and stir well to combine.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pre heat the oven for 400F.
  • Remove pasta and sauce from pan into a casserole dish.
  • Topped with shredded mozzarella.
  • Baked for about 15minutes or until cheese tops bubbles. Enjoy!

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