Inside-Out Spaghetti Pie

A creative take on your classic spaghetti and meatballs with a Inside -Out Spaghetti Pie. It's a  savory pie made with a beefy crust, pizza sauce, cheese and noodles. Sure to be a family favorite. 

Cook's Notes: Recipe adapted from BHG and serves 6. 
Cooking Tip: Use ground beef that's 90% lean so there's less grease to drain. Ground Italian Sausage can be substituted. To ensure easier cutting, let stand 15 minutes before cutting pieces. 
Use tongs to mix spaghetti noodles in butter sauce and place on top of pizza sauce. 
Use a fork to spread ground beef in pie pan. 
Ingredients:

• 1- 5 ounce can evaporated milk (you will use only 4 oz.) 
• 3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1 small onion, chopped about 3/4 cup
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning, crushed, divided
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound lean ground beef (90%) 
• 3/4 box (13.25 oz) ounces dried spaghetti
• 1 TB.butter
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2  cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more grated cheese for topping
• 1-14 oz. jar pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese, shredded 
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine evaporated milk, bread crumbs, onion, salt, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and pepper. Add ground meat; mix well. Lightly press mixture evenly onto the bottom and up the side of an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. 

• Bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until done (160 degrees F). Carefully tilt dish and drain off fat keeping meat in dish using paper towels. It's tricky but can be done :).
• Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Return to pan. Stir in butter until melted, add in egg and Parmesan cheese until spaghetti is coated.

• Add 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning to pizza sauce jar. Spread half of the pizza sauce over meat mixture. Top with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the spaghetti mixture. Top with the remaining pizza sauce and the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese or ColbyJack. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.

• Add foil strips around outside edge to prevent over browning.
• Bake, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

A Summer Adventure Trip to Finger Lake Region in Upper State NY.

This is an area made up of 5 major lakes, The Finger Lakes are known for producing excellent wine, particularly for world-renowned Rieslings. I am told it's a must-see destination, from hiking and to a number of state parks with scenic beauty including Watkins Glen State Park to see the gorge trail complete with 19 waterfalls. 

My daughter has her list and it looks packed. Remember our Texas trip to Austin, Waco and Hill Country last June? She does not miss a thing. Check back during the week to see what we are up to.  
FYI: I had to buy a raincoat-looks like the MN rain is going to follow us.