Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Easy Healthy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Leftovers Spaghetti Bake

28oz can

1 small chopped bell pepper
1 lb. Extra Lean 93/7
1 small chopped onion





1 tsp.
Star of the party!



easy bagged side salad with your favorite dressing

Some simple whole grain garlic toast





That's all you'll need to make a healthy, simple, homemade comfort-food meal. Save those leftovers!



Start by adding pasta to boiling salted water. Boil stirring  occasionally to be sure pasta strands don't stick together. Allow a little more boiling time for this pasta. It takes slightly longer than traditional spaghetti.


While waiting on the water to boil, brown ground beef in a medium sauce pan. Cover while cooking over medium heat to retain moisture. Since the meat is so lean you'll want to spray your pan if it isn't nonstick. I like to add the bell pepper and onion in while beef is still cooking, it allows more time for the veggies to soften before adding tomatoes later. Add garlic salt. Cover but stir occasionally until done.
When beef is cooked through, add tomatoes. Turn heat to low and simmer until pasta is done. 
Prepare garlic toast.
Toss drained spaghetti and sauce in a large pasta bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Salt and Pepper to taste. Serve with salad and garlic toast.


 And, Voila!

You have a high protein, high fiber meal full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants! Simple-easy- and very tasty.


If you have a family of four that includes two small children, you'll probably have some leftovers.
Here's what I do with mine.


Quick Spaghetti Bake

Preheat oven to 400

In a medium bowl, mix:
leftover spaghetti
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon of lemon pepper
Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup cheese of your choice- use what you have.  (or more- I personally think more is more with cheese:) 

Of course you'll want to add more cheese on top!

Place mixture into buttered casserole dish and bake until bubbly and golden.

Done.