Tootie's Great Baked Pasta

Submitted by tootie1

"Great comfort food! I have changed this over the years, to make it mine. My husband loves this!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 15

ingredients

• 0.5 (1 lb) box rotini pasta or (1 lb) box fusilli
• 1 (25 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce (your favorite)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 small celery ribs, chopped
• 1⁄2 onion, chopped
• 4 ounces baby portabella mushrooms, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil or 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper
• 1 dash Tabasco sauce
• 1 dash liquid smoke
• 1⁄2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese, grated or 1/2 cup romano cheese
• 1⁄4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated, divided
• 2 slices American cheese

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350*F.
2. Cook pasta according to directions.
3. Saute all vegetables, except mushroom for 10 minutes. Then add the mushrooms, saute another 5 minutes. Set aside.
4. Saute ground beef until brown, 5-7 minutes, breaking into small pieces as you stir. Drain.
5. Mix pasta, vegetables, and ground beef in a large bowl. Add spaghetti sauce, herbs and spices.
6. Add ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/8 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Pour mixture into 11"x7"(or close) baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/8 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
8. Break American cheese slices up into small pieces and place evenly over top.
9. Bake at 350*F. for 35 minutes.