9 oz. ground beef
2 tsp. vegetable or olive oil
1/2 c. diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp. canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 tsp. each basil leaves, salt and pepper
1/8 tsp. oregano leaves
1 c. cooked ziti
1 oz. thinly sliced Provolone cheese, cut into strips

1. Shape beef into a patty; on rack in broiling pan broil meat, turning once, for about 7 minutes. Crumble beef and set aside.

2. In 1 1/2-quart saucepan heat oil; add onion and garlic and saute until onion is softened. Add mushrooms, parsley, and crumbled beef and saute for about 5 minutes; stir in tomatoes and seasonings and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir ziti into beef mixture and spoon mixture into shallow 1-quart casserole; top with cheese strips and bake until mixture is heated through, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Turn oven control to broil and broil until cheese is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Makes 2 servings.