sicilian spaghetti bake

Ingredients sicilian spaghetti bake

1/2 box Barilla spaghetti
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 can (14 1/2 ounce) diced tomatoes
1 1/2 can (6 ounce) tomato paste
1 tbsp the following...sugar basil oregano thyme marjoram rosemary
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tbsp cracked black pepper
1/2 tbsp cracked sea salt
3 cup Cottage Cheese
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
2 eggs
5 cup freshly grated mozzarella
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 tbsp fresh parsley
2 1/2 lbs salt

how to make sicilian spaghetti bake

In a pot add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, all spices above to a boil. Reduce to low simmer stirring with wooden spoon occasionally for at least one hour. (metal spoon will ruin the acidity of tomatoes).

Brown ground Italian sausage and drain. Pat dry sausage w paper towels. Add to tomato gravy. (our family calls sauce gravy!)

Boil spaghetti to "AL DENTE" (Italian for almost done) 6-7 minutes. Then drain.

In a bowl whisk Eggs, Ricotta, and Cottage Cheese.

Pre heat oven to 350°F.

In a large baking pie dish lightly oil bottom and sides. I use EVOO, any cooking spray will do.

Add spaghetti to bottom of pie dish. Pat down evenly.

Spoon eggs, Ricotta, and Cottage Cheese mixture evenly on pasta.

Spoon Grandma's 'gravy' over mixture evenly.

Spread mozzarella evenly over top.

Bake on center rack for 25 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.