Recipe #1, the old standby: Spaghetti Pie

This is the Dichtl meal of choice, a tradition on my dad's side of the family since, well, forever.. I have to make it whenever my uncle comes to town. Twice (no! make that three times!) I've made it for a big crowd of Dichtls. I've made it for friends, and plenty of times for me and Nick. It's simple, cheap, easy to make a little or a lot. Although I like changing and experimenting with recipes, I NEVER change this one because it's how I like it- the same way I had it as a kid. The leftovers are awesome, even cold.

NOTE: I am going to list the ingredient amounts below in a double batch, because it fits in a casserole dish and makes 8-10 pieces, and much of the the packaging can be thrown away. Half of the ingredients listed fit in a pie dish (hence the name). Here goes:

Ingredients:
1 box of spaghetti
2c shredded cheddar cheese
2c cottage cheese (I use large curd, but I doubt it matters)
2 eggs

Topping, beaten together:
2 eggs
2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese.

Jar of pasta sauce. The Dichtls use Ragu, but anything works.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook and drain the spaghetti according to the package directions. Dump in both cheeses and the two eggs into the pot and mix well. Pour into a greased casserole dish. (I spread margarine around with a paper towel.) Spread the topping over the top. Put it in the oven for 45 minutes or until the edges are looking browned and crispy. Let sit for a few minutes, cut and serve with pasta sauce over the top.

Just a side note for those of you who don't like cottage cheese: I HATED the stuff as a kid but loved spaghetti pie. It melts into everything else so it's not that same texture as eating it on its own.