Baked Rotini

Marinara sauce Ingredients:

2 28 ozs can of crushed tomatoes

2 whole carrots

3/4 tsp of each: parsley, basil, salt, pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

A pinch of crushed chili pepper

Remaining Ingredients:

16 ounces of rotini pasta

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

8 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated

1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)

Directions:

Add all the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil on the stove top and turn down to simmer. Cook for 1 hour.

Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain, toss with oil and set aside.

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook while stirring until the ground beef is no longer pink.

Remove from the heat and add the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix to combine.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and add the pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.

Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is lightly golden and the sauce is bubbling.

Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes