Ingredients

The following ingredients have 3 Servings
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 jar prepared pasta sauce or tomato sauce
  • 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes (drained but not squeezed dry)
  • 1 454 g box spaghetti (broken in half)
  • Roughly 2-3 cups prepared spaghetti and meat sauce
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 6 slices thick Italian bread (I used whole wheat)
  • about 6 tbsp extra meat sauce or plain tomato sauce
  • cheese (sliced or shredded, to cover top and bottom of sandwich (I used about 10-12 2" square slices))
  • about 1 1/2 cups prepared spaghetti and meat sauce

Instruction

  • For the spaghetti and meat sauceIn a large pan, cook beef, onion, salt, pepper flakes, and basil until meat is browned. Add in pasta sauce and tomatoes.
  • Simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until some of the liquid has evaporated and sauce is slightly thicker, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Stir and serve together. *Reserve about 1 cup spaghetti and meat sauce mixture for each grilled cheese you wish to make later in the week. Don't worry -- there's lots!
  • For the Spaghetti and Garlic Toast Grilled CheeseCombine butter and garlic powder. Butter both sides of all 6 slices of bread (I did the second side while they were on the griddle, but it's up to you what you think is easiest). Place bread on a large flat griddle preheated to about 300 degrees F (A large frying pan works, too, it's just not as easy to maneuver your sandwiches and won't hold as much).
  • Cook the first side of the bread until golden brown. Flip.
  • Divide half of the cheese between 3 slices of bread. Top each with 2-3 tbsp additional meat or pasta sauce. Top with about ½-1 cup spaghetti and meat sauce mixture and remaining cheese. Top with second piece of bread, making sure to put the already toasted side down.
  • Flip sandwiches so that both sides get toasted. Cook 4-5 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, covering sandwiches with tin foil or griddle cover if necessary to melt the cheese.
  • Devour!