Baked Ziti

Baked ziti with ground beef, green pepper, onion, tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic powder, mozzarella cheese, and cooked ziti or macaroni.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb lean ground beef (ground chuck or ground round)
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 1  green bell pepper, chopped, about 1/2 cup
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried leaf basil, crumbled
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crumbled
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1  small garlic clove, minced
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 8  ounces ziti pasta or 8  ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 2  cups  shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

1. Sauté ground beef, onion, and green bell pepper in a large skillet until onion is tender and beef is lightly browned.
2. Drain off excess fat; add tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir well; stir in ziti or elbow macaroni and 1 cup of the cheese; transfer to a 2 1/2-quart casserole. Top with the remaining cup of cheese.
4. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.