Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, December 15, 2024 76° Today's Paper


Crave

Spaghetti pie offers no-fail dinner solution

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Want a quick, healthy-as-you’d-like-it-to-be recipe? Voila — spaghetti pie, adapted from a “Today” show recipe.

In my cooking repertoire are several standbys. One is this no-recipe recipe for Spaghetti Pie, adapted from a dish demonstrated on NBC’s “Today” show.

I’m really loose with the ingredients and preparation, but this is pretty much no-fail, no matter what you put in. I make it without meat, but will not take offense if you add some cooked ground turkey, ground beef or cut-up sausage links.

>> Step 1: Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 10-inch pie pan or cast-iron skillet with cooking spray.

>> Step 2: Cook about 12 ounces of pasta (whole wheat, if it’s handy) and set aside.

>> Step 3: Heat a generous slosh of olive oil and maybe a little butter in another skillet over medium heat. Add some chopped onion, garlic, a handful of mushrooms. When they start to smell good, add a couple cans of chopped tomatoes and maybe a can of water. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

>> Step 4: At this point, you might want to add some chopped broccoli or spinach and maybe a can of drained and rinsed garbanzo beans or another kind of beans.

>> Step 5: Taste and season to taste with salt, pepper, oregano, maybe a dash of cinnamon.

>> Step 6: Whisk 2 eggs and stir them into the pasta, along with about 3/4 cup each (more if you’d like) Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.

>> Step 7: Pour half of everything from the skillet into the prepared pie pan or cast-iron skillet. Add the pasta; pat it down evenly and add the rest of the sauce. Top with about 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese.

>> Step 8: Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

>> Step 9: Cool 10 minutes for easier slicing.

This is even better the next day, but there probably won’t be leftovers.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.