Tootie's Great Baked Pasta

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

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Yields: 6-8

Ingredients

• 0.5 (1 lb) box rotini pasta or 0.5 (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.