Spirited Spaghetti

Name: Spirited Spaghetti
Ingredients: 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed; 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion; 4 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce; 3 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 9 ounces uncooked whole wheat spaghetti; 1/2 teaspoon black paste food coloring, optional; 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 12 fresh mozzarella cheese pearls; 12 slices pimiento-stuffed olives

14 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
4 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
3 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
9 ounces uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
1/2 teaspoon black paste food coloring, optional
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
12 slices pimiento-stuffed olives

Directions

1

In a
2

, cook beef, sausage and onion over medium heat, crumbling meat, until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain.
3

Stir in next six ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions, adding, if desired, 1/2 teaspoon black paste food coloring to water. Drain pasta.
4

Top each serving of spaghetti with sauce, Parmesan, two cheese pearls and two olive slices to resemble eyes.
5

Freeze option: Do not cook or add pasta. Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Place meat mixture in a large skillet; heat through, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary. Proceed as directed.