Baked Spaghetti

My Niece just moved into her first apartment and asked me to send her some easy dinner recipes. So, this is an stand-by I have used for years, its nothing earth-shattering, but just makes a tasty spaghetti without meat.


Spaghetti:

1 box regular or whole wheat spaghetti
1 jar spaghetti sauce ( I like Classico "mushroom and ripe olives)
3-4 good sized mushrooms (optional)
5-7 green olives (optional)
2 green onions (optional)
1 clove garlic (optional)
1 tablespoon Italian spices (buy a mix, it's easier)
1/2 to 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
2-3 quarts water (basically you need enough water to cover the softened spaghetti with about an inch of water)
Some salt
Some olive oil

Put water in a large pot, add a little salt and a little olive oil, bring the water to a boil
When the water boils, add the spaghetti, let it boil for about 5-10 minutes (read directions on package) but it really is "done" when you can throw a strand of it against the wall and the strand sticks...(take strand down after throwing unless you like a pasta-themed kitchen) When pasta is done, pour water and pasta out into a colander and rinse briefly with cool water. Set aside.

Pour spaghetti sauce into another pot and warm it on low to medium heat, stir frequently

Optional part:
Slice mushrooms, olives and green onions into small pieces
Crush or chop tiny the garlic
Add some olive oil, salt and Italian seasonings to a frying pan on medium heat
Add mushrooms, olives, onions, garlic to frying pan
saute all of these by stirring them frequently in the oil. You'll be done when the mushrooms are a little brown singed.
When you are done, add these to the simmering sauce.

Next,
Pre-heat oven to 350
mix spaghetti, sauce and most of the grated cheese into a single large bowl that can go in the oven (like Pyrex)
sprinkle remaining cheese on top of spaghetti,sauce and cheese mix
put spaghetti into oven and bake for 15 minutes

Then serve

Skip the optional part if you don't want the hassle or don't like mushrooms and olives. Or you can substitute with other veggies like spinach, asperigas, broccolli, tomato, zuccini, eggplant..but always do the saute with olive oil, garlic and italian seasonings.