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healthy baked spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti, Side Salad, Olive Garden Copy Cat Breadsticks (optional)

Author: Heidi Boortz
Servings : 6

Ingredients

Baked Spaghetti

  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce 24 oz., no sugar listed in ingredients
  • 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp bottled minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 lb ground beef 90% lean or leaner
  • 8 oz 100% whole grain angel hair pasta
  • 2 1/2 cups cheddar-jack cheese grated, divided

Side Salad

  • 5 oz mixed salad greens
  • 1/2 cucumber sliced
  • 20 grape tomatoes sliced

Olive Garden Copy Cat Breadsticks

  • 1 1/2 cup water warm
  • 10 Tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 4 cups 100% whole wheat pastry flour (regular is ok but pastry is better for this recipe)
  • 2 Tbsp vital wheat gluten
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt divided
  • 2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
  • 2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Baked Spaghetti

  • Preheat oven to 350. Set 1/2 c. cheese aside. Brown beef. While beef is browning, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Combine beef, sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, bell peppers, and onions. Add 1 c. sauce mixture to the bottom of a greased 13X9 baking dish. Top with half the pasta. Top with 1 c. cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sauce. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Top with reserved cheese. Bake 5-7 more minutes or until cheese melts.

Side Salad

  • Combine vegetables. Drizzle with dressing. 4 servings

Olive Garden Copy Cat Breadsticks

  • Add water, 2 Tbsp. melted butter, and honey to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add flour and gluten. Add 1 1/2 tsp. salt to the side of the bowl. Add yeast to flour. Mix on low 3-5 minutes, just until soft. Divide dough into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into a log, about 6 inches long. Place breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean dish towel. Allow to rise 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 400. Bake breadsticks 6-7 minutes. Melt 8 Tbsp. butter with garlic powder and remaining 1 t. salt. Brush over breadsticks. Return breadsticks to oven, and bake 5-8 more minutes. Immediately after removing from the oven, brush with the butter mixture again. Allow to cool slightly before serving. 16 servings

Notes

Consider using the Creamy Garlic Dressing from this recipe:  CLICK HERE