This recipe makes our all-star list! It’s easy, made from ingredients you are likely to have in your pantry and something most people (including kids and picky eaters) will like. It can be made ahead of time and doesn’t require much last minute preparation.
Ingredients:
·
1 pound ground beef
·
8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
·
1 large can spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
·
1 tablespoon butter
·
½ cup chopped green peppers (I usually omit or
substitute red peppers)
·
⅓ Cup chopped onions
·
8 ounces cream cheese
·
2 tablespoons milk
·
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
·
French-fried onions (small can)
Preparation:
1.
Cook spaghetti according to directions on the
package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside.
2.
Brown ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add
spaghetti sauce to skillet and heat.
3.
Combine onions, peppers and butter in small
glass bowl. Cover and microwave 4 minutes on HIGH until soft.
4.
Add cream cheese and milk to vegetables and stir
well. (If cream cheese is not soft, nuke it for 20-30 seconds to make it easy
to spread.)
5.
Using a 12 x 8-inch baking dish (or something
close), assemble in the following order: thin layer of spaghetti sauce, cooked
spaghetti, cream cheese/vegetable mixture, remaining spaghetti sauce, parmesan
cheese (amount subject to your own taste)
6.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Top with
french-fried onions and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret
ingredient–don’t let them burn.)
Tip:
Make this
ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze without the French Fried onions. Don’t
forget to add them 5 minutes before casserole is finished cooking.
Happy Cooking ☺
