Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

    2  tablespoons  olive oil

       1    medium onion, chopped

       3    cloves garlic, sliced

      1  can (28 ounces)  whole tomatoes

       1  can (15 ounces)  tomato sauce

    2  tablespoons  tomato paste

       2  teaspoons  sugar

   1/4  teaspoon  salt

    1/4  teaspoon  black pepper

    1  can (14.5 ounces)  basil-and-oregano diced tomatoes, drained

      1/2  cup  fresh basil leaves, chopped

   1    box (16 ounces) ziti

       1    bag (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

       1/4  cup  grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 375°. Coat a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

For Sauce:

 Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. 

Add onion and cook 4 minutes. 

Add garlic and cook another minute.

 Stir in whole tomatoes and their juice, breaking tomatoes apart with your hands or a wooden spoon. 

Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, salt and pepper.

 Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Remove pan from heat. 

Stir in diced tomatoes and basil.

Ziti and Cheese:

 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling. 

Add ziti; boil 10 minutes, stirring. 

Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

 Add half the sauce to bowl with ziti.

 Stir to coat. 

Pour ziti mixture into prepared dish. 

Top with remaining sauce and then sprinkle with the cheeses.

Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned. 

Cool 10 minutes.

Enjoy!