Summer Thoughts and Baked Spaghetti

It's cold and dreary here so I thought I'd post a photo of these flowers taken in the summertime. They are uplifting to me! I have another wretched cold going on--the price one pays for working with the wee ones.

Had to share my niece's Spaghetti recipe--Baked Spaghetti, that is.

Here it is:
Baked Spaghetti

¾ pkg Angel Hair Pasta
4 tbsp butter or marg
1 cup grated parm chs
4 eggs – well beaten
2 cups cottage cheese
¾ lb ground beef or turkey or Italian sausage
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced green pepper
2 cups diced zucchini
2 cups diced fresh mushrooms
2 ½ cups canned diced tomatoes with juice
1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp garlic salt
1 sm can olives
2 cups mozzarella cheese


Cook spag. Drain and stir in butter, add parm cheese & eggs. Form spag into crust in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Spread cottage cheese over crust. In a very large skillet brown ground beef or sausage. Drain meat if necessary and set aside. Heat same large skillet over med heat and sauté onion, green pepper, mushrooms, & zucchini until tender. Add meat back to skillet with sautéed veggies and stir in tomatoes with juice, tomato paste and all spices. Add drained olives. Spread mixture in baking dish and bake covered for 30 minutes at 350. Sprinkle cheese on top and return to oven for 5 or 10 minutes uncovered until cheese melts. Enjoy!

* This is a great casserole for company or to return half to the freezer and reheat in two weeks. It is also wonderful as leftovers.

Enjoy!