Meatball Pie

Meatball Pie

Ingredients:

3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces spaghetti
3 cups thinly sliced onions (2 large)
2 TBS butter
1 Cup ricotta cheese
2 TBS fresh basil or 2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 24-26 oz. jar pasta sauce or marinara sauce
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pound frozen cooked Italian meatballs ( or homemade ones)
Shaved parmesan

Directions:


1.) Grease a 10-inch springform pan. Line pan with parchment paper or foil.
    Grease paper or foil; set pan aside. Or you can use a 2 qt. square baking
    pan, grease and set aside.

2.) For pasta crust, in a small bowl stir together 2 of the eggs and grated parmesan
    cheese; set aside. In a large saucepan cook pasta. Drain pasta; return to
    saucepan.  Add egg mixture; toss to coat. Press pasta mixture into prepared pan,
    building up sides slightly, set aside.

3.) Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook onions, covered, in hot butter over med-low
    heat about 15 mins or until onions are tender and lightly browned, stirring
    occaisionally. Remove from heat, cool slightly.

4.) Preheat oven to 350º. In a small bowl stir together the remaining egg, ricotta
    cheese, 2 TBS basil, and pepper. Spread ricotta cream mixture over pasta crust.
    Top with  caramelized onions. Place pan on a large pizza pan or baking sheet if
    using spring form pan, if using regular baking pan place directly on rack in
    oven. Bake 15 mins. Spoon 3/4 cup of pasta sauce over layers in pan. Sprinkle
    with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.

5.) Toss meatballs with 3/4 cup of pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
    Arrange meatball mixture over layers in pan, forming a mound.

6.) Tent pie lightly with foil. Bake for 45 to 50 mins or until heated through.
    Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Let stand, uncovered, on a wire rack
    for 15 mins. Lift pie out of pan, useing a serrated knife, cut pie into wedges.
    Garnish with shaved Parmesan Cheese before serving. Heat and pass remaining
    pasta sauce.

This can also be premade and you can freeze for up to 2 months :o)