Kittencal's Spaghetti Pie

Step 1: Grease a round 2-quart casserole dish or an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.

Step 2: For the sauce; in a skillet or saucepan brown the sausage with onion and red chili flakes until no longer pink.

Step 3: Drain fat then add in garlic, oregano and basil; cook for 2 minutes.

Step 4: Add in tomato sauce, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil over medium heat stirring.

Step 5: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes stirring occasionally (season with more salt to taste if desired).

Step 6: Meanwhile cook the spaghetti in boiling water until almost tender (undercook the spaghetti as it will soften up even more when baked in the oven) drain in a colander then rinse under cold water then drain well again then place into a large bowl.

Step 7: Add in melted butter, garlic powder, eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and black pepper; using clean hands mix until well combined (use hands for mixing spaghetti this will not work with a spoon) season with salt to taste if desired.

Step 8: TO ASSEMBLE; spread the spaghetti mixture evenly into bottom of the pie plate, pressing down with hands to flatten.

Step 9: In a bowl mix 2 cups cottage cheese with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, then spread over the spaghetti.

Step 10: Dollop the tomato sauce mixture over the cottage cheese then spread out with a spoon.

Step 11: Top with remaining 1 cup or more of mozzarella cheese.

Step 12: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Step 13: Uncover and continue to bake 10-15 minutes more or until hot and bubbly.