3 cups ziti pasta, uncooked 3/4 pound ground beef or sausage 3 cups spaghetti sauce, about 28 oz. jar 1 3/4 cups ricotta cheese, 15 oz 2 cups shredded lowfat mozzarella cheese, 8 oz 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions for 8 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown meat until throroughly cooked; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce; simmer 10 minnutes. In a small bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and seasonings; set aside. Toss hot pasta with meat sauce in 13x9x2 inch baking dish, spoon one half of pasta mixture, spead cheese mixture onver top. Layer with remaining pasta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely with foil, bake 25 minutes. Remove foil bake 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Note: Instead of the jar of spaghetti sauce I use leftover homemade spaghetti sauce. |