Baked Spaghetti

Sorry for the hiatus – I got smacked upside the head by life and it took a while to recover all my marbles.

A twist on the traditional and one that will have you screaming “More! More! More!”  ‘Nuff said.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Spaghetti
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 2 – 26oz. jar of Spaghetti Sauce
• 2 Eggs
• 1/3 Cup grated Parmesan
• 5 Tablespoons Butter, melted
• 2 Cups Ricotta Cheese
• 4 Cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• ½ Teaspoon Seasoned Salt

Preparation:

            Start by cooking the Spaghetti according to package directions.  Meanwhile, cook the Beef and Onion in large skillet until nice and browned.  Drain and add the Spaghetti Sauce, Seasoning Salt and set aside.

            Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the Eggs, Parmesan and Butter.  Add the drained Spaghetti to the bowl and toss to coat.

            Take half of the Spaghetti mixture and place along the bottom of a greased 13-in x 9-in baking dish.  Top with half of the Ricotta Cheese, half the Meat Sauce and half of the Mozzarella Cheese.  

           Repeat the layers.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Uncover and finish baking for another 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

            This dish needs no further rationalization.  One bite and you’ll be smitten.  You're welcome.  

Beef Tenderloin and Hash Brown Casserole

I have only prepared Beef Tenderloin one way, so I was very interested in trying new recipes.  This is one of them.  Obviously Beef Tenderloin is not an everyday meal, but should you chose, this is a very delicious meal!  I also found also found a very tempting recipe for a hash brown casserole that I decided to include and Aquaman was very happy that I did.

Ingredients for the Tenderloin:

• 1 Whole 4-5 Pound Tenderloin
• 4 Tablespoons Salted Butter
• 1/3 Cups Whole Peppercorns
• Lawry’s Seasoned Slat
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• Olive Oil

Source: The Pioneer Woman

Preparation:

            First preheat the oven to 475 degrees.  Next rinse and trim the meat well.  Please don’t remove all the fat, remember it imparts a lot of flavoring! 

            Nest sprinkle the meat with Lawry’s, don’t be afraid to be generous.  Rub the seasoning into the Beef with your fingers.  Now sprinkle both sides of the Beef with the Lemon Pepper Seasoning.  

            Place the Peppercorns in a Ziploc bag and crush using a mallet or heavy can, set aside.  Now heat some Olive Oil in a large, heavy skillet.  Once the Oil begins to smoke, place the tenderloin in the skillet and sear it on all sides.  While doing so, add a couple of tablespoons of Butter to the skillet to give the meat a gorgeous butter infusion before going into the oven.

            Now place the tenderloin into the oven in an oven pan with a rack.  Sprinkle the crushed Peppercorns all over the meat and press them in.   

Place several more tablespoons of Butter all over the Beef.  Cook the Beef for 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees.  Once removed from the oven, allow the Beef to rest before serving.  After slicing, use the accumulated juices of the oven pan as a sauce.

            This is so, so, so, good.  The best part it that it is a very literal translation.  You can use as much, or as little of the seasoning as you like.  It can be tailor made to you and yours!

                

Ingredients for the Hash Brown Casserole:

• 1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 8 Ounce Container of Sour Cream
• ½ Cup of melted Butter
• 1 32 Ounce Bag of Has Browns
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 1 8 Ounce package of Cheddar Cheese, about 2 Cups
• ½ Cup crushed Corn Flakes
• Ground Black Pepper

Source: The Pioneer Woman

Preparation:

                 Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees.  Next stir the Soup, Sour Cream, Butter, Hash Browns, Onion, and Cheese in a large mixing bowl.  Sprinkle the mixture with Pepper and transfer to a shallow 3 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle the dish with the Corn Flakes.

                 Bake the casserole for 45 minutes until it’s hot and bubbly.  Aquaman absolutely loved it!