Baked Spaghetti

So today's recipe kind of has a funny back story.

My friends are always sending my funny videos to watch.  The other day my friend Rose sent me a cooking tutorial video on how to make baked spaghetti.  I don't know how to describe it other than to say it kind of made you think of "Cooking From Prison with (Insert your favorite prison name here.)" It was disturbing yet slightly comical, but it did get me to thinking.  I have never had baked spaghetti.  I know, crazy right!?!  I knew immediately I had to change that so I decided to make some for dinner.  Before you ask NO, this is NOT the recipe from that video.  *lol*  I kinda of concocted my own recipe, but it was seriously delicious and simple enough for a weeknight meal!  I can't wait to share it with you so...

Let's Get Started!

Baked Spaghetti:
*Prep Time:  20 min.  *Cook Tim:  30 min.  *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  8-10

Ingredients:

• 1 1 lb. box of Spaghetti
• 2 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 lb. Italian Sausage
• 1 jar of Marinara Sauce
• 1 15 oz. container of Ricotta Cheese
• 1 Green Pepper, diced
• 1 Onion, diced
• 4-6 Cloves of Garlic, minced
• 2 Eggs
• 1 c. Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 2 c. Mozzarella Cheese, shredded 
• Salt & Pepper to taste 
• Fresh Basil to top

To begin you will need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  

Next fill a pot with water and 1 tbsp. of salt.

Place the pot of water over medium/high heat and bring to a boil.

Next take a moment to prepare all of the vegetables for the dish.

After that, you can place a skillet over medium/high heat, add a little oil, and place the green peppers and onion in it.  

Cook until the peppers are tender and the onion is soft and translucent.  

Don't forget to season with a pinch of salt and

Pepper.

Once the pepper and onion is tender, you can add the garlic.
Cook until you smell it coming from the pan.

Now you can add the ground beef to pan.
Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula and let it cook for a few minutes.

Once the ground beef has cooked down a little, you will need to remove the Italian sausage from their casings and add them to the pan.

Season with a little salt and

Pepper.
 Break it up with your spatula cook until all the pink is gone and the meat is fully cooked.

By now the water should be boiling so pour the spaghetti into the pot and cook 1 minute under the package instructions.

While the sausage is cooking combine the ricotta cheese, egg, salt and pepper,

And the cheddar cheese.

Mix it all together until smooth.

Now you will pour in the jar of marinara sauce into the cheese mixture.

 Then fill the jar half way with water, place the lid on, shake, and then pour into the sauce and cheese mixture.

Now you can add the meat and 

Spaghetti to the bowl and mix together.

Now pour into a greased baking dish and top with the mozzarella cheese. 

Place into the 350 degree oven and baked for 30 minutes. 

Top with fresh Basil when you remove from the oven and serve!

I mean look at that!  It is gorgeous!

This meal is filling, inexpensive, and perfect for a weeknight feast!  I know you and your loved ones will LOVE it so get in the kitchen and give it a try TONIGHT!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~