Friday, June 11, 2010

Baked Spaghetti-Foodie Friday



     It is Foodie Friday again! Please join our hostess Michael @ Designs by Gollum for some of the best recipes in all of Blogland. I have been cooking up a storm the past few weeks. My dad has been staying with me, my son has been coming over many nights for dinner because grandpa is here and therefore I'm cooking for 3 men! I feel like I'm a mom again, raising a family and trying to keep them full. My husband and I tend to eat much lighter meals than what I've been cooking lately. I've gained about 5 pounds since dad arrived!



     My grandmother (Dad's mom) used to make something she called Baked Spaghetti. I thought my dad might enjoy a meal that reminded him of his youth, so when I saw a recipe by Phyllis Hoffman, I combined elements of it and of my grandmother's recipe and came up with something we all enjoyed. I did however forget to take a picture of the finished product...those men were digging in very quickly.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I used beef for my dad, but I will use turkey when it is for the 2 of us)
Fresh mushrooms, sliced (canned would work)
1 Bell pepper, chopped-any color
olive oil
garlic powder, salt, pepper
1 T. Italian Seasoning
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced or crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 pound thin spaghetti-cook as directed, set aside
3 cups Shredded Cheese-I used Italian Blend, but anything you have on hand would work.

Brown the meat, mushrooms and pepper in a little olive oil until meat is completely cooked. Drain. Stir in a pinch each of garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning and simmer about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. In a greased 9 x 13 pan, starting with a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of the pan...layer half the spaghetti noodles, half the remaining sauce, half the cheese...the rest of the spaghetti, the rest of the sauce and finish with the rest of the cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until casserole is hot and bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20-25 minutes. Serve with a green salad and garlic bread. It was a delicious, manly meal and I could make it ahead of time. If you do make it ahead and have it in the refrigerator, it will take a little longer to bake and heat all the way through.


12 comments:

honeysuckle said...

I am sure this is a man pleaser, but it does sound good to me too! I'm sure they are all happy you are in the kitchen cooking for them.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

That sounds so good - thanks for sharing the recipe.

Unknown said...

Oh, that looks so good, Sue!! Having company always packs a few pounds on me too. You just want to bring out your BEST dishes :)

Blessings!
Gail

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

"I feel like I'm a mom again" - LOL, that's so funny. I know exactly what you mean!!

:)
ButterYum

Gypsy Heart said...

Hmmmm, sounds good! I guess these 3 guys are keeping you busy in the kitchen. :-) I'm sure your dad is eating well though and he might not if he were alone right now.

Brightest blessings my friend!

xoxo
Pat

xinex said...

This looks so good, Sue. I bet it looks even yummier after the cheese melts...Christine

Unknown said...

This sounds so yummy! Have a sweet day!

Maria said...

Hi Sue!
Oh... It's a quiet Saturday morning here this weekend! Our newlyweds will be home from their honeymoon tomorrow! I can't believe a whole week has gone by...

Sue, I can imagine the incredible blessing you must be to your father {and whole family} right now...
I can imagine how your father must be feeling {my own mother passed away many, many years ago}

I can also imagine how his being near you must soften the rough edges ...

I can imagine how he must feel like a king at your table and enjoying your thoughtfully prepared meals.

I can imagine sparkling jewels in your crown ♥

God has given you such a gift of grace and hospitality... these are now such a blessing to your dad.
wishing you some relaxing moments for yourself...
and for one of these boys to bring you a cup of your favorite beverage served on a doily ;o)
*Maria

koralee said...

Oh my goodness...it is 7:30 am and I could eat a huge bowl of this..yum! Happy day my friend. xoxo

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh yum. Oh, really, really yum!!

Angie said...

Wow - that sounds so yummy! I'm definitely going to have to give it a try.

BrightenedBoy said...

Gosh, that made me so hungry.