Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ¾ cups tomato sauce
• 1 can (14 ½ ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano, divided
• 8 ounces uncooked rigatoni or ziti pasta
• 1 carton (8 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, cook the sausage, onions and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and ½ teaspoon oregano.
2. Cover and simmer meat sauce for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper.
3. In a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray, spread 1 cup of meat sauce. Layer with half of the pasta, a third of meat sauce and half of cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
4. Top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and oregano. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.

Yield: 6 servings

From The Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook