Ziti al Forno

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
6. To assemble the ziti al forno, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add a layer of the cooked ziti pasta, then a layer of the cheese mixture, and finally another layer of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the