Baked Spaghetti

 Baked Spaghetti-  A delicious and easy dish filled with cooked spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, cheese and Italian sausage. Pair it with garlic bread or a side salad to round out your meal.

Much like Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies, this recipe has been in my recipe archives for a really long time.  Honestly, I can't remember who gave it to me, but, it is, like the cookies, a family favorite. 

It can be adapted to your own taste preference and be ready in a snap.

Ingredients Needed

• Spaghetti
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Italian sausage
• Spaghetti sauce
• Egg

Recipe Notes

What Kind of Spaghetti Should I Use?

Any kind.  Yes, any kind  You can use regular spaghetti, whole wheat or a gluten free version.  I have used them all with this recipe and they all work great.  You will be baking your spaghetti after it's already cooked, so, simply follow the directions on your preferred pasta box. 

💡Tip:  If you have leftover, plain, cooked spaghetti in your fridge...this is a great way to make use of it. 

Why Do I Rinse The Pasta in Cold Water?

This will stop the cooking process of the pasta and will help prevent your spaghetti from being mushy or overcooked.  

Can I Use A Different Protein?

Yes.  Instead of Italian sausage, you can use ground turkey, ground beef or a meatless crumble option.  You can also omit the protein/meat altogether.  It's delicious either way. 😉

Storage

Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. 

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Baked Spaghetti

Italian Sausage Manicotti

Italian Sausage Manicotti- The classic pasta dish with a handy shortcut! Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this dish combines mozzarella cheese, manicotti shells and zesty Italian sausage for a satisfying meal that will leave everyone at the table craving for more.

Manicotti is something my mom made quite a bit.  However, her version seemed to take her all afternoon to make.  While it was delicious, I just didn't have the patience to make the traditional manicotti.  Plus, my family are not a fan of ricotta cheese.  

So, I omit it and use mozzarella string cheese as a quick and easy shortcut!

Ingredients Needed

• Manicotti shells
• Italian sausage (spicy or mild) 
• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Dried Spices: garlic, onion, basil, oregano, salt & pepper
• Mozzarella string cheese
• Shredded Italian blend cheese

Recipe Notes & Tips

String Cheese?

Yep.  See an example here. 

Do I Have to Use Italian Sausage?

No. If desired, you can use ground beef, ground turkey or a meatless option.  You can also omit a protein all together and only use the sauce. 

Can I Freeze This?

Yes.  If desired, you can freeze this before baking.  Simply prepare as noted in the recipe, with the exception of the shredded cheese topping  ( use a freezer safe baking dish!) and cover tightly with foil or a lid.  Place in the freezer for future use.  It will be good for a couple of months.  When you are ready to eat, defrost it to room temp and bake as noted in the recipe.  If you bake it while it is still frozen or even partially frozen, you will have to increase your baking time.  

Tips

• After making/draining your manicotti shells, do your best to space the cooked shells apart from each other.  After making, they can stick together easily. 
• Want to split up your recipe? You can divide this into 2- 8 or 9 inch baking pans.  Eat one for dinner and freeze the other pan for a future dinner.  See above for freezing instructions. 

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Italian Sausage Manicotti

Biscuit Donuts

Biscuit Donuts- No need to run to the bakery! Make these easy biscuit donuts right at home.  Soft donuts coated in cinnamon sugar.  Perfect for breakfast, brunch, a snack or dessert. 

Jump to Recipe

I swear that my Mom had a homemade donut recipe. With dough, yeast and you know, the whole homemade donut list of ingredients. Well, I asked my sister and she had no clue what I was talking about.  🤷

However, she reminded me of these donuts that our mom made for us. So, while I search for that other homemade donut recipe, I am sharing this one!  These are quick, easy to make and are beyond yummy.

Ingredients Needed

• Biscuit dough * see recipe notes
• Butter
• Ground cinnamon
• Sugar

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Recipe Notes

Can This Be Doubled?

Yep! You can choose the amount of donuts that you wish.  Simply change the serving amount next to the serving size in the recipe card for making it easier. 

What Kind of Biscuit Dough is Used?

I used a basic buttermilk biscuit dough (example) and used only 4 of the biscuit pieces. They were frozen, so,  I let them defrost completely before using the dough.  You can also use biscuit dough from the refrigerator section of your grocery store,  such as, Pillsbury. 

Storage

Keep any leftovers in a covered container. They are best eaten within 2-3 days.  If they last that long. ;) 

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Biscuit Donuts

French Breakfast Muffins

French Breakfast Muffins- Soft muffins that are simply dreamy! They are a simple muffin with the light taste of nutmeg. Then, we dunk the tops with melted butter and cinnamon sugar for added deliciousness.  Eat these warm for the ultimate indulgence.

My lovely mother made these muffins quite often during my childhood. We didn't call them French Breakfast Muffins though.  They were just "really delicious cinnamon muffins".  It wasn't until I was an adult and started blogging, that I discovered what they were called.

I bake these all the time for my family and no, we don't call them French Breakfast Muffins either...just "really delicious cinnamon muffins" ;) 

Ingredients Needed:

• Flour + Baking powder
• Sugar
• Nutmeg
• Milk
• Eggs
• Ground cinnamon
• Butter

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Recipe Notes

Batter

Don't over mix your batter.  It's OK if there are a few lumps. Over mixing your batter may give you dense muffins.  Dense muffins = not tasty.

Butter

You will need melted butter for both the batter and topping.  After melting it, let it cool to room temperature. This will make it easier to handle and will mix better with your egg in the batter.

Nutmeg

While I totally recommend using the nutmeg on these, if you don't have any on hand, ground cinnamon can be used as a replacement.  

Amount of Muffins

This batter makes anywhere from 6 to 8 muffins. You won't get an entire dozen from it. 

Storage

Keep any leftover muffins in a covered container. No need to refrigerate, unless your weather is really hot or humid. They are best eaten within a week.

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French Breakfast Muffins

Creamy Apple Squares

Creamy Apple Squares are creamy and sweet! These delicious bars start with a cake mix and are a snap to make!

Creamy Apple Squares