I would like to think that I am not a messy person. Sometimes I forget to throw the glass in the dishwasher or I don’t fold the laundry directly out of the dryer, like… ever… but I do like a clean, non-cluttered house. My children, however, have made me messier. They really have! Ask any mom and, because the work piles up and because we have so much more to do in a smaller amount of time, our lives just tend to get messier! Take cooking, for example. I seem to have gotten a lot sloppier in the kitchen. I don’t know why but the splatters seem to be faster in coming, the dishes piling up faster than I can clean them and the counters stickier than they used to be. Keeping products on hand that help me tame the mess when I am making something like my Spaghetti Lasagna is necessary. It is basically my Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe with a few changes.
Spaghetti Lasagna Recipe
Home with my ingredients for Spaghetti Lasagna, which is the perfect dish if you have spaghetti noodle leftovers, so ya know, I set to work prepping dinner. Sure enough, splatter here, grease spot there and evidence of this messy dish everywhere. I grabbed my Scotch-Brite Scrubbing dish cloths and tackled the mess as I prepped the meal. Since I know that the Scrubbing Dots Power Through More Messes, I was confident that I could keep my kitchen cleaner with less effort!
- 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 jar (24 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
- 4 cups (16 ounces) part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Top with half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve
I have to say, this dish is a family favorite for a reason. It mixes the best loved pasta in this house with a baked dish that I love! Cheesy, full of flavor and devoured by all.
By the way, while prepping this meal I found that my oldest had treated herself to chocolate milk the night before and had left a huge, sticky spot on my counter. So you know…
DIY Foam Soap Dispenser
While I am all about the efficiency of a store bought soap dispenser sitting on my kitchen counter, I have always wanted something a little more unique! So, I finally took the time to sit down and make a DIY Foam Soap Dispenser.
What you need:
Small or large mason jar with a lid
Soap pump from old bottle or purchased
Craft paint in the color you like
Permanent Glue
Soap
Water
Take your old pump and make sure it is clean and ready to use. Take a piece of paper and measure the base of the pump. Cut it out and place it on the top of the mason jar. Using a small nail and a hammer, poke holes around the paper (which I taped to the top).
Once the holes are in, pop the metal out of the top.
Insert the pump to make sure it sits flush. Then, using a permanent bond glue, adhere the pump to the lid and let it sit.
Meanwhile, use the brush to paint the entire jar. I let it dry and then added a second coat. I chose a deep blue color because it stands out on my greenish kitchen. But choose whatever color you like.
Let it dry completely.
Mix 1/2 of the soap you have with water in the container, leaving a little room to shake. Put the lid with the pump on and screw on then top. Shake vigorously.
Screw the top on over the pump fixture.
Pump out the foam soap!
Oooo we always have leftover noodles that no one wants to eat. I think I just found a use for those! So smart! #client