Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti

Pasta Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti (or any pasta)
• 2 Tbs butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
• 6 oz (1.5 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz crumbled feta cheese (I use it all)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 16 oz ground beef, turkey or Italian sausage
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped (I used 2 shallots chopped)
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 jar Rao’s Marinara Sauce
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• 6-8 small fresh mozzarella balls
• drizzle of olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350f.

Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, return to the pan and put the butter in with the pasta and stir. Add remaining pasta ingredients, stirring to combine. Spread the pasta/cheese mixture in the bottom of a sprayed baking dish. You can use an 8×8 or 9×9 or small rectangular baking dish.

Meanwhile, brown the protein you chose. Add in the chopped onion (shallot) and garlic. Drain the grease and return it to the pan. Add pepper, Rao’s sauce, herbs and pepper flakes. Stir to combine and let come to a simmer. Pour over the pasta/cheese, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese, shredded parmesan and place the small mozzarella balls around and nestle them in. Drizzle olive oil on the top and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is browned and it’s bubbly.

Serve with a side salad or green veggie of your choice.