A Visit From The Walkers

The whole Walker clan came in for a weekend visit and this is the first time in at least a year they’ve all been here.  Of course, one of our high priorities was providing meals using this plan.

Fri. Evening – Fried okra, boiled corn, and green beans (as I made them recently).

Sat. Morning – Sausage and pancakes with choice of blueberries, banana, and chopped pecans (it was all three for us smart ones).

Sat. Evening – Million Dollar Spaghetti Pie

Sun Morning – Sausage & Cream Cheese Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Sun Lunch – BLT with Benton’s bacon and delicious local tomatoes.

I thought sure that I had blogged about making the spaghetti pie but could not find it anywhere so here it is (again).  The Million Dollar Spaghetti Pie recipe is from Spend With Pennies – I followed the ingredients list (except the butter) but assembled it differently.  Check out Holly’s blog for the original recipe and some great how-to shots – here is one of her shots and mine looked the same except I don't like the cheese to be this brown so I added it toward the end of cooking.

MillionDollar Spaghetti Pie – Adapted from Spend With Pennies

Ingredients:

·         16 Ounces Dried Spaghetti Noodles

·         1 Large Yellow Onion , Chopped

·         4-6 Cloves Garlic , Minced

·         1 1/2 Pounds Sweet Italian Sausage , Casing Removed

·         3 teaspoons Dried Italian Seasoning , Divided

·         2--32 Ounce Jars Rao’s Marinara Sauce, Divided

·         8 Ounces Cottage Cheese or Ricotta Cheese

·         8 Ounces Cream Cheese , At Room Temperature

·         1/4 Cup Sour Cream

·         3 Cups Mozzarella , Shredded-Divided

·         1/2 Cup Butter , Cut Into Slices-Divided

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Prepare a 9”x13” casserole dish by spraying with Pam.

3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. 
4. Add sausage and 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning to skillet, and cook until no pink remains. Drain well. Add 1¼ jar of spaghetti sauce to skillet and mix well. Set aside

5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Set aside.

6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package, drain well and return pasta to original pot. Add meat sauce and combine.

7. Spread half the spaghetti mixture into the dish.

8. Spread cheese mixture evenly over spaghetti.

9. Spread remaining spaghetti over cheese mixture.

10. Spread about 1/3 jar of plain marinara sauce evenly over top layer of spaghetti.

11. Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven, top with 2 cups mozzarella, and bake until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, 10-15 more minutes.

We sided it with one of Bev’s fine salads and once again it was a big hit.  We’re about to dig in as I serve it up - note the cheese is not so brown.

Other than just visiting, a main event was going next door to the Lafons for a little paddle boarding –a first for a couple of them.  This is 17 year old Riley and 19 year old Reese relaxing.

Riley and Reese with Rhett in the background.

Reese and Dutchess.

Unfortunately the only shot of Madison was from the back.

This is Madison teaching Teddy Bear to shake while her dog Bodie looks on.

When the Walkers and SIL Pat were all here, we had six dogs and three cats and it was ear splitting when someone knocked on the door.

This is the whole group just before they hit the road (Rhett, Beth, Reese, me, Bev, Riley, Pat, and Madison) – thanks Cindy.

We thought it was a very good visit with them and I would have liked another day.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

8/9 – 8/11/19 event dates