Baked Pasta With Tomato Sauce and Cheese

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

Ingredients

1 Onion, chopped

2 Garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup Olive oil

2 cups Well-drained canned "Italian style"

Tomatoes, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons Fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried oregano

2 tablespoons Fresh basil or 2 tsp dried basil

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Sugar

16 ounces Ziti, penne, or other tubular macaroni

3 tablespoons Butter, softened

1/2 cup Freshly grated imported parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups Ricotta cheese

1 cup Freshly grated imported romano cheese

Preparation

Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add tomatoes and spices. Simmer sauce for 25-30 minutes. Boil and drain the ziti or other noodles. Put the pasta back in the empty cooking pot and add the butter, then the Parmesan cheese. Toss well in mix. Layer the ingredients in a large, greased casserole as follows: ziti, noodles, ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, Romano cheese, and repeat in the same order until you've used them all up. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes.