Baked Ziti With Fire Roasted Tomatoes

FloridaGrl's Note:

This is a recipe from Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes, but I know Hunt's has a fire roasted diced tomato product out too. My DH loves this--he requests it about once a month!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces ziti pasta, cooked and drained
• 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
• cooking spray

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375.
2. Spray 2 quart rectangular glass baking dish.
3. In a 10 inch non stick skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring frequently,until cooked. Add zucchini, cook 2 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling.
5. Toss with pasta. Spread in dish. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake uncovered, about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Reviews

[Marie]

Although I took some liberties with this recipe, I am still going to review it. I used a lb of crumbled Italian sausage instead of the ground beef, substituted basil for the oregano and used no zucchini. I also only used 8 oz of tomato sauce because of other reviews stating 15 oz was overpowering. I have to say this was absolutely wonderful!!!! I will surely make this again. Thank you so much for posting.

[Marg (CaymanDesigns)]

This was a nice change from my usual Italian dishes. My husband and I really enjoyed the addition of the zucchini...the kids, not so much. ;) The only change I made was to use a full pound of ground beef and dried oregano. Next time, I plan on using only 8 oz. of tomato sauce and not drain the tomatoes. Thanks for posting!

[LizP]

We really like this a lot. It was tasty, quick and easy. Everyone went back for seconds. I did feel that the tomato sauce covered up the majority of the fire roasted flavor. Next time, I will just use more fire roasted tomatoes and less tomato sauce.