Travels With Toby Pasta Bake

 Travels With Toby Pasta Bake (serves 6)

Prep time: 15 minutes  Total time: 45 minutes

A easy to put-together meal which can be adapted to your palate and those of your guests. It will taste wonderful and your guests will enjoy it. This meal can be halved if you have fewer guests. It goes great with a Caesar salad and a loaf of bread, and your choice of wine. Bon Apetit!

1 lb. ground meat (beef; chicken or turkey)

4 tbsp. minced garlic

2 tbsp. olive oil

16 oz. penne pasta

1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes

2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 cups shredded cheese (4 cheese, cheddar or mozzarella)

20-25 fresh basil leaves or 4 tbsp. dried basil leaves

4 tbsp. oregano

Parmesan cheese to taste

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees;
2. Prepare 9”x 13” baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray; 
3. Cook the pasta according to directions on the box and drain;
4. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and saute the garlic for 1 minute;
5. Add the meat to the skillet, breaking up chunks while cooking until brown;
6. Mix the meat and garlic, tomatoes, pasta and tomato sauce in a large bowl, breaking up the tomatoes so the juices run out;
7. Add oregano and tomato sauce, then stir to cover the pasta; 
8. Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish;
9. Place basil leaves all around the top of the pasta mixture;
10. Spread the cheese over the pasta mixture;
11. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes;   
12. Serve and spread the Parmesan cheese over the hot pasta mixture.