This is modified from recipe #143 of "365 Ways to Cook Hamburger" by Rick Rodgers, published by HarperCollins.

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large pot of boilign salted water, cook ziti until barely tender, about 8 minutes. Drain well and return to empty pot.

2. In a non-stick skillet, "brown" gimme lean, onion, and garlic over medium heat, breaking up lumps, for about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and pepper; break up tomatoes with a spoon. Bring to simmer.

3. Pour tomatoes over ziti in pot. Add ricotta and stir to mix. Pour half of ziti mixture into a very lightly oiled 1.5 quart casserole. Sprinkle on 1/2 of mozzarella. Pour in remaining ziti and sprinkle remaining mozzarella and optional Parmesan over top. Bake, uncovered, about 35 minutes, or until casserole is bubbling and cheese is melted.