Cheesy Layered Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti (cooked to al dente)
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 2-3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried chili pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1-2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 2-3 tablespoons minced fresh garlic

• 1 (10 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives (optional, can use a bit more)

• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• salt and black pepper
• 3 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided (can use more or less)

• 2 (10 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1/3 cup milk or water
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Grease a lasagna baking pan.

2. 2

   Place the cooked spaghetti in a bowl and toss with salt, pepper, eggs and 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; set aside.

3. 3

   For the sauce (this sauce is better if made a day in advance!).

4. 4

   Brown the ground beef and pork in a medium heavy pot along with the dried oregano, basil, chili flakes, onion, one green bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, garlic and mushrooms; cook until the beef and pork are browned and the veggies are tender (about 12-15 minutes) drain fat, then add in the olives and crushed tomatoes; simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes.

5. 5

   Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

6. 6

   At this point you can cool to room temperature then refrigerate for up to 2 days.

7. 7

   Place half of the spaghetti in the bottom of the baking dish/pan.

8. 8

   Top with the half of the meat sauce, then about 1-1/2 cups mozza cheese.

9. 9

   Repeat layers once ending up with the mozza cheese on top.

10. 10

    Sprinkle a chopped green bell pepper on top of the mozza cheese.

11. 11

    In a bowl mix together the soup with milk or water, then drizzle on top of the casserole.

12. 12

    Top/sprinkle with about 1/3 cup (or more or less) Parmesan cheese (the pan will be full so I advise you to place the pan on a baking sheet to catch spills).

13. 13

    Bake in a 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly (if desired sprinkle some mozza cheese on top the last 5 minutes of baking).