Delicious Baked Spaghetti

I baked this last weekend when the temperatures were frigid outside and the roads were too icy for me to leave my house. I was so pleased with how easy making a homemade sauce was not to mention how delicious it turned out. A homemade sauce was just what this recipe needed to elevate this dish. The kitchen smelled delightful while the sauce simmered and once my pasta had finished baking I had an ultimate comfort food meal.

Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 lbs ground beef or 2 packages of vegetable crumbles
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 cups canned diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large diced onion
4 cups Mozzarella Cheese
2 small bay leaves

Directions:
1. In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, sugar, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.

2. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
3. In a skillet thoroughly cook your ground beef/vegetable crumbles. If using beef drain after cooking. Add to sauce and simmer for 20 more minutes.

4. Cook pasta according to the package directions.
5. Cover the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and a layer of cheese. Repeat layers saving 1/2 cup of cheese, ending with the sauce.
6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree over for 30 minutes.
7. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, return to the oven, and continue to bake until the cheese is melted and bubble.

Angel Hair Pasta In A Garlic Sauce

This is a quick, easy recipe for this evenings when you are in a hurry. It won everyone over with its simple, yet tasty ingredients. Serve it with a tossed salad, garlic bread, and some grilled chicken (or in my case vegetarian grilled chicken) for a more substantial meal.

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 can diced tomatoes
fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to the package.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
3. Saute the garlic and parsley in the oil.
4. Toss in diced tomatoes and heat through.
5. Drain pasta and toss with garlic mixture.
6. Top with the fresh parmesan.
7. Serve with pepper.