Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti is on of my go to comfort foods but that doesn't mean that it doesn't have any healthy elements. I hadn't cooked a big meal for my family for awhile. Things have been so busy since we are 6 weeks and 2 days away from our wedding day!

The recipe that I went off of was Paula Deen's baked spaghetti so you can check it out if you want. With my version though I quadrupled the amount of onions and peppers in the sauce and used to 14.5 oz cans of chopped tomatoes. I like my baked spaghetti to have a little more character to it!

So here is what I used:

12 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta 
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 lbs ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen Seasoned Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 cups canned diced tomatoes
2  cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup diced green bell pepper
1 cup diced onion
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup mozzarella 

In a stockpot, combine the parsley, all seasonings, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, onions, sugar, garlic, water, and peppers and bring up to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for an hour.

In the meantime, brown the ground hamburger until cooked through and drain. After the the sauce has simmered for an hour, add the hamburger and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cooked your angel hair pasta to al dente (3-4 mins.) and drain thoroughly. And then in a mixing bowl combined all cheeses.

When the sauce is done put a some of the sauce in the bottom of a 13 X 9 pan and then layer half of the pasta, and a little less than half of the cheese. Then sauce, pasta, cheese, sauce. There should be some cheese left over.

Bake for about 35 minutes. Then add the cheese and return to the oven for about 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Cut into squares and serve.

This dish was wonderful! Next time I make it I will probably be more heavy handed with the seasoning and might even put some creole seasoning for some kick!

Hope you enjoy!