Extra Meaty Baked Ziti

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 9
• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (optional)
• 42 ounces favorite spaghetti sauce
• 2 eggs
• 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (optional) or 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 cook pasta according to package directions.
• 2 meanwhile, in a skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
• 3 stir in spaghetti sauce.
• 4 in a bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, italian seasoning or parsley if desired, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and parmesan.
• 5 drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and stir to coat evenly.
• 6 spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 9x13 pan; top with half of the pasta mixture.
• 7 repeat layers, ending with meat sauce.
• 8 cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
• 9 uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
• 10 bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
• 11 let stand for 15 minutes before serving.