Kittencal's Spaghetti Pie

You will need a minimum 2-quart round casserole dish for this or this will also fit into an 11 x 7-inch baking pan this will *not* fit into a regular 9 or 10-inch pie plate --- with this or with any recipe made from scratch preparation time takes a little extra effort, to save some time and to blend the flavors prepare the tomato sauce mixture up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to use --- substituting prepared pasta sauce for the tomato sauce will not produce the best results I would strongly recommend using only tomato sauce, this recipe was tested both ways and the tomato sauce version was the best! --- NOTE this also may be made without the cottage cheese filling by placing the sauce directly over the spaghetti top with mozzarella cheese and reducing the baking time only slightly

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 8  ounces  uncooked  thin spaghetti
• 1⁄4 cup  melted butter
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 3⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
•  salt (optional or to taste)
• 2  cups cream-style cottage cheese
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 2  cups  shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• TOMATO SAUCE

• 1⁄2 lb ground beef (or use bulk Italian sausage meat or half each)
• 1  small onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional or adjust to suit heat level)
• 1 -2  tablespoon  fresh minced garlic
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce (another 1/2 cup sauce won't hurt)
• 1 (10 ounce) can  sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1⁄2 teaspoon seasoning salt (or to taste) or 1⁄2 teaspoon  white salt (or to taste)

Directions

1. Grease a round 2-quart casserole dish or an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
2. For the sauce; in a skillet or saucepan brown the ground beef with onion and red chili flakes until no longer pink.
3. Drain fat then add in garlic, oregano and basil; cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add in tomato sauce, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil over medium heat stirring.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes stirring occasionally, season with more salt to taste if desired.
6. Meanwhile cook the spaghetti in boiling water until almost tender (undercook the spaghetti as it will soften up even more when baked in the oven) drain in a colander then rinse under cold water, drain well again then place into a large bowl.
7. Add in melted butter, garlic powder, eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and black pepper; using clean hands toss/mix until well combined (use hands for mixing spaghetti this will not work with a spoon) season with salt to taste if desired.
8. TO ASSEMBLE; spread the spaghetti mixture evenly into bottom of the pie plate, pressing down with hands to flatten.
9. In a bowl mix 2 cups cottage cheese with 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella cheese cheese then spread over the spaghetti.
10. Dollop the tomato sauce mixture over the cottage cheese then spread out with a spoon.
11. Top with 1 cup or more of mozzarella cheese.
12. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
13. Uncover and continue to bake 10-15 minutes more or until hot and bubbly.