Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti
sharon via publix aprons recipe

1 pound ground round
one 4-ounce can diced chiles
1 cup frozen diced onions
one 26-ounce jar tomato basil pasta sauce
one 14 1/2-ounce can stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 tablespoon pesto
12 ounces dry ziti pasta
vegetable cooking spray
3 cups fancy shredded Italian blend cheese

Steps
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Fill one saucepan 3/4 full with hot water. Cover and place on high heat to boil for pasta.
3. In second saucepan over medium-high heat, add ground round, chilies and onion. Cook until meat is browned, breaking up meat as it cooks. Drain well.
4. Add pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning and pesto into the saucepan, and mix well. Reduce heat to simmer.
5. Check pasta water for boil. When boiling, add ziti and cook per package
directions for al dente (about 9 minutes) and drain.
6. Spray baking dish with cooking spray.
7. Pour ziti into baking dish, top with sauce, mix to coat all pasta. Cover with shredded cheese, place in oven and bake approximately 12-15 minutes. (Makes 8 servings.)

SHARON's NOTES: The recipe calls for ground beef, but I think it would awesome with crumbled Italian sausage or a even sliced Italian sausage. It's very versatile, just throw in what you like, mushrooms, pepper slices, more meats. The best part is you can make it ahead. It only takes 30 minutes to warm up in the oven.