Baked Beef Ziti

Serves 8
Prep Time: 38 minutes (includes time cooking meat and pasta)
Cooking time: 30 minutes

*NOTE: Go ahead and double this recipe and put an extra in the freezer. It is NO EXTRA WORK to make two, and it will make for a super easy dinner another night! This is also a meal that can be made early in the day, then cooked for dinner. Perfect if you have company coming for dinner (which we did this night.)

12 oz uncooked ziti (I used penne, because it was the only whole grain I could find)
2 tsp olive oil
2 clove garlic clove, minced
3/4 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
1/2 jar marinara sauce (another reason to make two dishes...you'll use the whole jar! I used a heart healthy, no added sugar variety.)
1&1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return pasta to pot. Set aside. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 7 to 10 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat. 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.

3. Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface).

4. Pour remaining tomato-beef mixture in the pot with pasta. Add marinara sauce and mix well. Pour pasta mixture in casserole dish; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Served with salad with the dressing from this recipe.

Results: It's sort of impossible to see what was "diet" about this dish, which is a very, very good thing. I was reluctant to use whole grain pasta, since we had a dinner guest, but you couldn't even tell, and both men went back for seconds! If you are in the mood for a cheesy Italian dish, give this a try! Steven wouldn't try it, but Henry ate all of his and requested leftovers for lunch today. Portions are HUGE, so bring your appetite!