Monday, March 03, 2008

Yummy Dinner


I love to cook, I really do - but I rarely have the time or desire. I've been trying out a few new recipes lately cause I recently joined Weight Watchers. This next week marks my 4th week and I've lost almost 11 pounds so far. Yay me!! (channeling London from the Disney Channel:))

I made this recipe Sunday night and it was a hit.

Baked Beef Ziti
Makes 8 servings
5 points per serving (if you're counting points:))
  • 12 oz uncooked ziti
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
  • 1/3 pound raw lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat.

  • Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of cooked ziti. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining ziti and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.
Here's my tip - make a double batch and freeze half for another night's dinner.

8 comments:

Jan said...

Great recipe. I don't do beef, but it should be good without it. Yum.

Stephanie said...

Yummm! Sound delicious!

Congrats on your weight loss!

Anonymous said...

Oh Raesha... CONGRATULATIONS on the weight loss! Don't loose too much more or we won't be able to find you, k. I'm so stinkin' proud of you. T-man and I have both talked about doing WW. I did it decades ago with much success. I'm in definite need of doing it again!

You inspire me my friend.

PS... I just licked my monitor.

Anonymous said...

oooo, substitute our favorite faux beef and this is perfect. Thanks for sharing.

and congratulations!

Mahala said...

Congratulations on the weight loss!
As for the recipe, I will try this. I need to lose about 60 pounds for my health. I need to find healthy menus with recipes that my family will eat.

Stephanie said...

Just wanted to let you know I tried this recipe out the very same day you posted it. It was a big hit with my boyfriend and I! Thanks again for sharing. :)

Monique said...

mmmm I want to make something with cheese so bad now. Have fun in CA!

Carrie said...

Sounds yummy! I'll have to give it at try. To bad I'll ruin the good points by adding garlic bread. I just can't do Italian without the bread!

Have fun on your California trip!