Baked Ziti

A good substitute for lasagna – a little less work, but similar results!

INGREDIENTS
3/4 pound ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Oregano and basil to taste
1 jar pasta sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp parsley
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 pound rigatoni pasta (or ziti, if you can find it!)
Fresh baby spinach (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Brown meat in skillet with onions and garlic. Season with oregano and basil. Drain fat. Add pasta sauce, simmer.
2. Cook pasta (preferably while you are cooking the meat).
3. Add meat sauce to pasta, stir to combine.
4. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano and basil, and spinach if desired.
5. In a rectangular baking dish, spread 1/3 of the pasta/meat mixture on the bottom. Spread half of ricotta cheese mixture over top. Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella on top. Layer another 1/3 of pasta/meat mixture on top, spread remaining ricotta cheese mixture and another ½ cup mozzarella. Add remaining pasta/meat mixture, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese is golden and crispy.