Baked spaghetti is one of those go to meals whenever I am looking for a pretty quick meal that will last me 2 dinners. Casseroles like that are always good, especially the next day when the flavors have had a chance to meld.
My Southern aunt introduced this to our family a long time ago. She actually just put cooked spaghetti with the sauce into a pan and sprinkled on the cheddar cheese. Popped it into the oven and baked until the cheese melted. Good, but not as good as this baked spaghetti, which has a surprise!
You can find the original recipe at www.salad-in-a-jar.com or follow the recipe below.
The surprise is the cream cheese in the center of the casserole and the french fried onions on top. Both of those ingredients push this baked spaghetti surprise recipe over the top.
Ingredients:
8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 pound ground beef (optional, omit if you want a more vegetarian recipe)
1 large can spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
⅓ cup chopped onions
8 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk
Shredded Parmesan cheese
French-fried onions
Cook spaghetti according to directions on the package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside.
Brown ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add spaghetti sauce to skillet and heat.
Combine onions and butter in small glass bowl. Cover and microwave 4 minutes on HIGH until soft.
Add cream cheese
and milk to onions and stir well.
Using a 13 x 9 inch baking dish, assemble in the following
order: thin layer of spaghetti sauce, cooked spaghetti noodles, cream
cheese/onion mixture, remaining spaghetti sauce, another layer of spaghetti noodles and finish with Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350
degrees for 25 minutes.
Top with french-fried onions and continue baking
5 more minutes.
Throw together a salad and some french bread and you have a very quick weeknight meal, MY FAVORITE! You should have enough for the next night...even better!
Celebrate the little, quick meals that make life sweet!
Christine
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