Baked Zita

This is a comforting Italian dish. This picture does not do it justice. When I make it, I double the recipe and put half in the freezer for later.

Ingredients

1/2 pound lean ground beef or turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves. minced

1-3/4 cups spaghetti sauce

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can tomato paste

6 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried basil

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, divided

8 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta

1 carton ( 8 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and 1/2 teaspoon oregano.

2. Cover and simmer meat sauce for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper.

3. In a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray, spread 1 cup of meat sauce. Layer with a half of the pasta, a third of meat sauce and half of cheese mixture. Repeat layers.

4. Top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and oregano. Cover and bake at 350 degree for 1 hour or until heated through.

Yield: 6 servings