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Baked Penne with Meat Sauce

Source of Recipe


From "Simply Perfect Italian"






List of Ingredients



• 8 ounces dried penne
  
• 1 (14-ounce) can whole Italian-style tomatoes
  
• 1/2 of a 6-ounce can (1/3 cup) Italian-style tomato paste
  
• 1/4 cup dry red wine or tomato juice
  
• 1/2 tsp sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed (or 2 tsp snipped fresh oregano)
  
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
  
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
  
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
  
• 1/2 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
  
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
  






Instructions



1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F). Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
   
   
2. Meanwhile, in blender or food processor, combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, wine or tomato juice, sugar, dried oregano (if using) and pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Set aside.
   
   
3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown. Drain off the fat. Stir in tomato mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in pasta, fresh oregano (if using), and olives.
   
   
4. Divide pasta mixture among six 10- to 12-ounce individual casseroles. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. (Or spoon all the pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.) Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese melts.
   
   Makes 6 servings.