Baked Ziti with Beef and Wild Mushroom Ragu

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Pasta

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. mixed wild mushrooms, stemmed and coarsely chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 32 oz. marinara sauce
  • 1 lb. ziti
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the mushrooms, onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the beef and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the marinara. Simmer for 5 minutes more; season with salt and pepper.

  3. Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta. Return the pasta and cooking water to the pot. Stir in the sauce and chopped oregano, then 3 cups mozzarella. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

  4. Bake the ziti for 10 minutes. Top with 1 cup Parmesan and the remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake until bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes more. Top the ziti with oregano leaves and more Parmesan.

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