Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 450 g / 1lb lean ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 5-6 leaves fresh basil (sliced or 1 tsp dried basil)
• 1x400g / 14oz canned diced tomatoes
• 1x500g / 2 cups tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
• 125 ml / 1/2 cup dry red wine (such as Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon; optional )
• salt to taste
• 450 g / 1lb ziti pasta
• 250 g / 8oz fresh mozzarella (sliced)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan, then add the ground beef and brown it until no longer pink inside. Add crushed garlic, sliced basil leaves, dried oregano, canned diced and crushed tomatoes or tomato passata and red wine. Bring to a boil, then salt to taste. Let the sauce simmer over low heat with the lid on for 20-25 minutes.

2. 2

   While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in large pot of salted boiling water 3 minutes less than package instructions indicate. Drain, then combine with the sauce once the sauce is done.

3. 3

   Transfer to a greased ovenproof dish and top with sliced fresh mozzarella, bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the pasta sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted.

4. 4

   Before serving combine a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, a touch of minced garlic, salt and olive oil and top the baked ziti. (This step is optional)