Feb. 27 - Uncle Joe's Spaghetti Casserole

This is a recipe that spans three generations - my great-uncle Joe gave the recipe to my grandmother, who passed it down to my mother, who passed it down to me. It's a great cold-weather comfort food, and although it's a bit of a long process to make, it's well worth it! Make it the night before because it needs to sit overnight before baking.

Uncle Joe's Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
2 lbs. hamburger meat
6 slices of bacon
2 medium onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 large can tomato paste
2 large paste cans of water
4 small cans tomato sauce
2 sauce cans of water
Thyme, whole allspice, pepper, 3 - 4 bay leaves
23 oz. rotini pasta
Salt & pepper

Directions

1. In a large pan, fry bacon.
2. Remove bacon, drain grease, and add beef, onions, peppers, garlic and salt and pepper.
3. In a large saucepan, simmer paste, sauce, water and spices.
4. Boil pasta; drain and rinse.
5. Strain sauce and add meat. 
6. Place pasta in casserole dish. Add sauce/meat mixture and mix thoroughly.
7. Crumble bacon on top.
8. Let sit overnight. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
9. Bake at least one hour at 325 degrees F. (You may still need to nuke it a little to have it completely warmed.)