Friendship Spaghetti Pie

Ingredients

1 (16oz) box spaghetti

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 C chopped onion

1 (24oz)  jar of spaghetti sauce

4 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 C. parmesan cheese, grated

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 C ricotta cheese

1 tsp. garlic, minced

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

2 C. mozzarella cheese, shredded

dried parsley, for topping (optional)

Directions

1) Cook spaghetti according to the pkg. directions. Season the boiling water with salt and olive oil before adding spaghetti.

2) While spaghetti is cooking, start cooking the ground beef and onions. Once the meat is browned and crumbled, turn off the heat and drain the excess grease. Put meat back in the pan then stir in spaghetti sauce. Leave in the pan until ready to use.

3) Once spaghetti is cooked and drained. Put back in the pot . Stir in the butter until it melts and coats the spaghetti well. Then stir in the beaten eggs and parmesan cheese. Stir quickly.

4) Set out two 9 in (ungreased) pie pan and evenly divide spaghetti mixture into each pan.

5) In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir well. Evenly distribute the cheese mixture over each pan of spaghetti. Drop it all over by small spoonfuls. Then take the back of the spoon and spread it out evenly over the noodles. Top each pie with the meat sauce. Evenly dividing between both pans.

6) Finally top each pie with the shredded mozzarella. Again, dividing it evenly between each pan. And if you choose you can sprinkle with the dried parsley.

7) Now, if your going to freeze the pies, cover with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Then freeze.

8) If your ready to bake it then preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the pie in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.

9) If cooking from frozen, place pie in the oven and bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

This is one of those recipes where you can give one to a friend (similar to the Amish Friendship bread) for them to enjoy as well. If you don't wanna give one away you can always freeze it for your family for another night of dinner. Definitely a favorite in our home.