Spaghetti Pie

This recipe is one of my favorites from my dear friend and fantastic cook, Rachel.  She used to prepare it for our church small groups when we lived in Oklahoma City, and anytime we visit we always make a special request for her to make it for us.  A few weeks ago we were out visiting their family, now in Colorado, and I finally asked her for the recipe so I could attempt to make it on my own.  It's a great casserole dish to prepare in advance and freeze for baking later - great to have on hand to feed hungry guests or when you're called on to help friends with a meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb thin spaghetti noodles
1 lb ground beef
1/2 large onion, diced
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 (8 oz) container cream cheese, at room temp
1 (16 oz) container sour cream
3 cups of your favorite spaghetti sauce
2 cups Kraft 4-cheese blend (Mexican blend)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 9"x13" baking dish (or two 8"x8" baking dishes) with cooking spray.

2. Boil water and cook spaghetti noodles as directed on box.

3. (While waiting for water to boil) In large saucepan on medium heat, saute onion until translucent then add ground beef.  Let cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned. Stir in chili powder, sugar, and spaghetti sauce, then take off heat and set aside.

4. Combine cream cheese and sour cream with a mixer, until well blended.

5. Dump cooked spaghetti noodles into bottom of greased baking dish, cover noodles with cream cheese mixture, then pour sauce over the top.

6. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and place in preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and surface bubbles. (You may want to place a large baking sheet/pan underneath your dish in case the casserole overflows while baking.)

7. After removing from oven, let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestion: Serve alongside a delicious green salad and some garlic bread. The yummy recipe for the Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad pictured below can be found {here}.

Let me know what you think if you give this one a whirl.  Enjoy!