A wild weather week for Florida! With time to prepare, evacuate, get out of the way, shelter in place or some combination there remains the stress of waiting and anticipating. Mother Nature can be incredibly generous and she can be equally devastating. This month alone Harvey doused Texas and Louisiana, and Irma exploded on the scene to wreck havoc on the peninsula of Florida. Last year, almost on the same date we experienced hurricane Hermine. Hate to think this is the new normal as storms are becoming bigger and stronger during hurricane season due to the warming of the ocean waters which is fuel for these storm systems.
During times of stress it is in our nature to find solace in traditional comfort foods. While we waited and prepared for Irma’s arrival a craving was building for an EPIC comfort meal to feed the family, or a crowd. The dish was baked spaghetti and my friends there is no finer comfort.
The recipe below is my take on baked spaghetti but certainly you can change this recipe up as you like and I am sure it will be delicious.
Hurricane Irma’s Baked Spaghetti
Serves a crowd
(makes a 9×13 pan with generous portions)
Ingredients:
1lb. Thin spaghetti
2 jars (24 ounces) good quality Marinara Sauce
1lb. lean ground beef
Olive oil for cooking
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
16 ounces 4% small curd cottage cheese or Ricotta cheese (I prefer cottage cheese)
3-4 cups Mozzarella Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling water add spaghetti and cook according to package directions. Drain. Return to cooking pot and add one jar of marinara sauce. Toss. Set aside.
While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large pan with a drizzling of olive oil. Add chopped onion, sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic, sauté for another minute. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Blend with other ingredients. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Add second jar of marinara sauce. Cook another couple of minutes. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, add cottage cheese or ricotta cheese with 1-2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Blend. Set aside.
In a 9×13 baking pan add a layer of sauce, then spaghetti, then cheese mixture and repeat the layers ending with the sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Enjoy!
Rambling Tart
I'm so glad that you are safe, Velva. And this baked spaghetti looks incredibly comforting AND delicious. XO
Angie's Recipes
Good that you are safe and sound! Baked pasta is definitely my go to comfort food! This looks super duper delicious, Velva.
Tina
I hope you didn't have any damage. We had lots of branches and tree limbs down but otherwise, it wasn't too bad. Just scary!Love your baked spaghetti, I cooked too much in prep 🙂
Big Dude
The dish looks delicious Velva and I hope you escaped serious damages.
That Girl
The winds and the rains alone warrant some good comfort food.
Michelle
Glad to hear that you are alright. This dish is a favorite with my family. It never fails to provided sustenance and comfort.
Nammi
Hope you are doing well. As you say the weather is becoming a real issue these days. Sadly there are some who thinks its a hoax. Anyway, hope you have a safe weekend and love this comforting spagetti dish!
Rhodesia
Glad to here that you are safe. My friend on the BVI says it is total devastation there. Love this recipe sounds very yummy. Have a good weekend Diane
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
Hope you didn't have too much damage, Velva. We were on a short trip to Colorado with a group of friends during the hurricane and we would watch the news every morning. What a great comfort-food recipe! I used to have a baked spaghetti recipe that I loved but can't find it. I'll try yours!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Glad you are safe and sound. This baked spaghetti looks like it would feed a crowd. Looks delish!
chow and chatter
looks delicious and so pleased you came through it ok, hugs
grace
i put cottage cheese in my baked spaghetti too, and my husband thought it was so weird! he didn't hesitate to devour it though. :)glad you guys are okay!
karrie / Tasty Ever After
I grew up in FL so know all about hurricanes and glad all is okay with you all. Baked spaghetti is comfort food to the max! Pair that with a loaf of garlic bread and that's some good eats 🙂
Pam
Glad you are safe. I haven't had baked spaghetti in a long time. It looks delicious.
[email protected]
Glad you are safe Velva ! Irma was really a mess !this looks delicious !
Marcelle
I hope these devastating storms aren't the new normal either, Velva. September has proven quite the month for natural disasters… everywhere! Your baked spaghetti looks like the ultimate, delicious comfort casserole to me!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
Glad you are safe. What would we do without comfort food!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
It was definitely a stressful time for all of us Floridians. Your comfort meal sounds like a good one.