Baked Gemelli with Pesto, Mozzarella and Meat Sauce

Serves 6-8
~
16 oz. Gemelli or other pasta (spiral, macaroni, shells)
1 T cooking oil
1 onion, chopped
1 lb. ground beef
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C pesto sauce
1 1/2 C mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Oil a 9x13 baking dish.  Cook onion in oil for about 3 minutes.  Add ground beef, cook and drain.  Add the tomatoes and salt and bring to a simmer.  Cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.  Remove pan from heat and stir in pesto sauce.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.  Toss with the meat sauce.  Put half the pasta in the baking dish.  Top with half of the mozzarella and 2 T of the Parmesan.  Repeat with the remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.  Bake until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

~VLS