Spaghetti Pie of Love

What could be better than a pie made out of spaghetti and all the good stuff of pizza or spaghetti sauce? Personally I equate most of these ingredients to pizza but hey… whatever and however you like. This meal is great to make ahead and pop in the oven after a long day of work. Makes the house smell awesome and also makes great leftovers.

Spaghetti Pie
What you need!
4 ounces dried spaghetti
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
8 ounces ground beef or bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 12-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, drained
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Make it!
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.
Return spaghetti to warm saucepan. Stir butter into hot pasta until melted. Stir in egg, basil and Parmesan cheese; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet cook ground beef, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain. Stir in, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil and oregano; heat through.
Coat a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Press spaghetti mixture onto bottom and up sides of pie plate, forming a crust. Spread cottage cheese on the top and up the sides of pasta crust. Spread meat mixture over cottage cheese. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. To serve, cut into wedges.