Cheesy baked ziti

RECIPE :

Cheesy baked ziti

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 small minced clove garlic
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, more to taste
• 1 pound lean ground beef, ground chuck, or ground round
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, more as needed
• 8 ounces dry ziti pasta
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350°F. Lightly butter a 2 1/2-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
3. Drizzle oil in a large skillet or sauté pan and place it over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.
4. Drain off the excess fat. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
5. While the meat is simmering, cook the ziti in the boiling salted water until just al dente. The pasta should still have some bite, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Set aside. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot with the meat mixture and half of the mozzarella. Stir to combine.
6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
7. Top the casserole with the remaining half of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake the ziti until the cheese melts and begins to bubble and brown, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.