Spaghetti Pie

I love food that travels well. I also enjoy a recipe that requires little preparation and clean up time. Spaghetti pie is one of those recipes in our household. It is less messy than traditional spaghetti and meatballs, but doesn't sacrifice any flavor.

This recipe is easy to assemble and can be prepared in advance and baked at your convenience. It is also a recipe that can be doubled and made in a rectangular pan rather than a round pie pan.

The texture of the spaghetti gets firm once you microwave it with the egg mixture. This makes the perfect foundation to add the meat sauce. The sauce will trickle through the top layers of the noodles and gives a nice presentation when sliced.

If you have young children, it can be less messy than traditional spaghetti dinner. The firmer texture allows for cutting into bite size pieces that can be more manageable for youngsters to handle without spilling. The tomato meat sauce topping also becomes firmer and helps reduce spills.

Serve with garlic bread and a green salad and you have a quick nutritious meal.

Ingredients

• 6 Ounces spaghetti noodles
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 Pound ground turkey or ground round
• 1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
• 1/4 Cup green pepper, chopped
• 1 Can tomato paste (6 ounces)
• 1 Can stewed tomatoes (8 ounces)
• 3/4 Teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon ground garlic
• 1 Cup ricotta, part skimmed or nonfat Note: Cottage cheese can be substituted
• 1 Cup mozzarella cheese, part skimmed or non fat, shredded

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
2. Stir oil and Parmesan cheese into hot pasta.
3. Add egg, stir well.
4. Spoon mixture into a 12 inch round greased pie pan.
5. Use a spoon to shape the spaghetti into a pie shape.
6. Microwave uncovered on high for 3 minutes or until set.
7. Crumble ground turkey in a pan; stir in onion and green pepper.
8. Stir occasionally until done.
9. Add spices, tomatoes and tomato paste.
10. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
11. Set aside.
12. Spread ricotta cheese evenly over spaghetti noodles.
13. Top with meat sauce.
14. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
15. Top with cheese, place back in oven an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serves 8.