Baked Ziti With Fresh Tomatoes

The ingredients are so simple but the flavors are spectacular! This is the best baked ziti I have ever had! I have made this before when I only had 8 tomatoes and I added 1/2 pint of home-canned tomato sauce to the mixture and it was just as good!! I have also substituted penne pasta for the ziti with great results! I also usually add a little more cheese - like using the entire 2 cups in the mixture and sprking additional cheese over the top! Tomato prep takes a bit of time but it is so worth it - the flavor is so superior to anything canned!!

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 3  lbs roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (approximately 15)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8  ounces  uncooked ziti pasta
• 2  cups  shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2  tablespoons  shredded parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a dutch oven, brown the ground beef until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the prepped tomatoes, salt, basil and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain. Place in a 4 quart baking dish and stir in the sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
3. Cover with foil and bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer, or until heated through and cheese is melted and lightly browned.