Spaghetti Casserole

One Dollar Spaghetti Casserole is an easy, budget-friendly meal that’s both filling and flavorful! It’s perfect when you’re trying to stretch your budget, but still want a comforting and hearty dish. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare a tasty spaghetti casserole for under $1 per serving.

One Dollar Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti (or any pasta of your choice)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (or use crushed tomatoes for a smoother texture)
• 1/2 pound ground beef or ground turkey (optional for a meat version)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper (to taste)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (you can substitute with a cheaper cheese if needed)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta:

     

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

2. Prepare the sauce:

   • In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. If you’re skipping the meat, you can just skip this step and move directly to making the sauce with the tomato products.
   • Once the meat is browned and cooked through, drain any excess fat if needed.
   • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with juice), garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes to thicken and bring all the flavors together.

3. Assemble the casserole:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce mixture. Stir it all together until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.
   • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. If you have Parmesan cheese, you can add a little on top as well for extra flavor.

4. Bake:

   • Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Serve:

   • Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice it up and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can bulk up this casserole by adding some frozen veggies like peas, carrots, or spinach.
• Use any leftover pasta or sauce you have to make it even more budget-friendly!
• If you want a more cheesy top, feel free to add more mozzarella cheese before baking.

This dish is simple, budget-conscious, and can easily feed a family. Enjoy!