Monday, August 22, 2011

Disclaimer: I'm Not a Chef

As promised I am back to give you the recipe and shopping list for our industrial sized baked spaghetti extravaganza. Once I have had time to taste and tweak the pot pie I will share that too. I've made baked spaghetti several times before but never in this large quantity.  We approximated about 10 servings per tray and with 4 trays thats 40 servings. All groceries were purchased at Aldi ( <3). It only took 3 hours or so with 6 adults and a helpful 3 year old. 

Shopping List                                        Price
2 large tubs low fat cottage cheese        2@ 1.99
6 cans stewed tomatoes                        6@ .55
6 24 oz jars of spaghetti sauce              6@ 1.19
1.5 large box of spaghetti noodles        2@1.69
4 lb. ground pork sausage                    4@ 2.29
4 lb. ground turkey                               4 @ 1.49
2 4 cup bags of shredded mozzarella    2 @ 3.49
3 medium onions                                 1.99
Italian Seasoning                                  .99
4 aluminum trays (from Walmart)         5.80
1 roll of aluminum foil                          1.99

Total: $50.67  or $1.27 per serving! (pre-tax)

(Assuming you have at home 4 T (thats tablespoons - I learned that from my mommy) of brown sugar and a vegetable oil cooking spray).

Directions
Start boiling water (we used a very very large pot that took forever to boil). Cook noodles according to the directions on the box.

Sorry to use the same picture but these 3
were demonstrating. Boiling (Kim),
Browning (Bryan) and Onion chopping (Jer)
so well I HAD to put it here. 
Dice onions.

In a large skillet liberally shake Italian seasoning over 1/4 of the onions, 1 lb. of turkey and 1 lb. of sausage and brown. Drain well. Add to 1 jar spaghetti sauce, 1 can stewed tomatoes, and 1 T brown sugar and simmer. (Repeat 4 times).

To assemble, lightly spray aluminum pan with cooking spray, layer noodles (1/8 of total), sauce (since you made in 4 batches 1/2 of 1 batch), 1/2 tub of cottage cheese, noodles (same), sauce (same), and then 1/2 bag of mozzarella cheese. We discarded (saved for possible future terrarium project) the clear plastic lids and covered with several layers of aluminum foil. (Lightly spray first layer of foil to prevent sticking). If you are going to bake in the next day or two then simple refrigerate, otherwise freeze immediately.  Bake at 350º for 45 - 60 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Notes: When I make it at home the meat to sauce ratio is not as high. I also sometimes use cream cheese instead of cottage cheese.

Make and give: to a homeless shelter, new parents, single parent homes, hungry people.


4 comments:

  1. love it! I cannot wait to continue this tradition (hopefully each month)!
    Thank you Jesus for such an awesome small group and wonderful church!

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  2. don't act like you have class, a job, a husband, a family, small group, girl scouts etc...i need an update! Kidding, love you!

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  3. I love how I got a mention in this post for boiling water, lol...

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  4. Kim- That was simply what you were doing in THAT picture. Rest of the world - That day Kim was also a master shopper, recipe co-creator, cute picture poser, husband director, and all around wonderful servant/wife/friend.

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