Mild & Cheesy Mexican Style Baked Ziti

This lasagna-like casserole is full of cheeses, beef, pasta, and olives. Serve it with a tossed green salad and some garlic bread.

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb. box dried ziti pasta
• 3 red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers, coarsely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. lean ground beef, cooked and drained
• 6 dashes green hot pepper sauce
• 1 28-oz. jar chunky mushroom and green pepper pasta sauce
• 1 16 oz. jar mild picante sauce
• 4 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan and/or romano cheese
• 1 4 oz. can sliced black olives, drained
• 1/3 cup bacon bits
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Method

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a 2-quart saucepan cook sweet peppers, onion, and garlic in hot butter and olive oil until tender. Stir in cooked ground beef, hot pepper sauce, picante sauce, and pasta sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheese, half of the grated cheese, half of the black olives, and bacon bits. Simmer until cheese melts. Fill the bottom of a large lasagna baking pan with sauce mixture. Top with pasta and the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining black olives and the shredded and grated cheeses. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through out. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Notes:

Number of servings: 10 to 12

Submitted By: rtgod
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