Meaty Baked Ziti

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare ziti according to directions on the box to achieve al dente doneness (about 10 mintues).

Cook ground beef until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Over medium heat, combine olive oil, garlic, and onion, cooking until onion is translucent. Add browned ground beef and all spices. Cook 2-3 minutes, then add crushed tomatoes (drain if you prefer a thicker sauce). Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce reaches the consistency you prefer.

In a large casserole dish, stir to combine pasta, sauce, all of the parmesan, and half the mozzarella (alternatively, you could layer the sauce, cheeses, and pasta). Top with remaining mozzarella. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly brown.

Garlic bread and salad are great additions to round out the meal. You might also add mushrooms and spinach/fresh basil to the sauce. If you like more sauce, you could add marinara when combining/layering in the casserole dish.