Spaghetti Pie?

Well it's been a few days since I've had the chance to cook, but my sister is in town so we've made a few recipes together. The title of this recipe is spaghetti pie. This recipe is quick and easy. It's a new one I've found and basically it's like a simple lasagna with spaghetti noodles instead of flat ones - and low calorie- yay!

This is out of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and at 270 calories a slice it's a great dinner for those of us that are pasta lovers!

Spaghetti Pie

4 ounces dried spaghetti
1 TBS butter
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces ground beef or Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
1 clove garlic minced
1 - 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Cook spaghetti and drain
2. Stir butter into hot pasta until melted. Add egg and Parmesan cheese and set aside.
3. Meanwhile cook ground beef, onion, sweet pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat and add tomato sauce and oregano.
4. Coat 9 in. pie plate w/ non-stick cooking spray. Press spaghetti mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate to form a crust. Spread cottage cheese on bottom and sides of crust. Spread meat mixture on top and cover in cheese.
5. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. To serve, cut in wedges.

Calories 270 per wedge - 6 wedges per pie

Both times I've made this with Italian sausage - it gives it a nice flavor. Since the recipe only calls for 8 ounces (half a log) then a good idea would be to make 2 pies at once instead of trying to save the extra meat. Also 1/2 cup of onion or green pepper is only about half a whole pepper or onion, so doubling the recipe to 2 pies helps you use all the onion and pepper as well as all the meat.

Serve with a favorite vegetable or if you aren't worried about the calories a nice garlic bread or salad to go with it! Have fun!