Lilly Pulitzer and My New Found Loves!

Being a Southern Gal ...who doesn't love a little Lilly Pulitzer? I do, but alas the price tag is higher than I'd like it to be. I'd kill for a summer LillyP sundress!....But for all those fans...Look what I ran across while at Market Street yesterday?? A Limited Edition box of Animal Crackers!

Now on to recipes! For my birthday my family gave me some ceramic bake ware from Giada de Laurentiis. I love love her show and noticed Target started carrying things in her name. Now why she doesn't use them on the show is beyond me (do they ever??!!!)
I got a ceramic casserole dish, pie plate, loaf pan, 20 oz mug, and 2 custard cups. (not sure why 2 I mean come on Giada's ppl)

Yesterday my bananas were dead (as the kids say) and so I baked a loaf of Nana Bread in my new pan! It turned out gorgeous! That's when I got all excited about cooking dinner! I was going to use my new ceramic casserole dish for

Virginia's Spaghetti Bake

I know you mostly hear me talking up my Southern Living cookbooks and magazine, but what Southern kitchen is complete w/o your Gooseberry Patch cookbooks too!

I have a few ....Family Dinners and Quick and Easy (just came in the mail yesterday)

Hubs loves the Virginia's Bake and I know you will too! The cheese layer makes this dish fantastic! You can make it ahead and pop it in the fridge until later!!

Ingredients

• 16 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked
• 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 2 lbs ground beef, browned
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 12 ounces evaporated milk
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

Combine spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce and ground beef in a large bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour, parmesan cheese, salt and garlic powder, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly. Add evaporated milk and one cup cheddar cheese; stir until thickened.

(notice how I sticky my recipes to my cabinets so I can make for faster reading! Ha ha)

Pour half of spaghetti noodle mixture into a greased 13x9" casserole dish and pour cheese mixture over top. Pour remaining noodle mixture into dish; top with remaining 2 cups cheddar cheese. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes.

Side note on this recipe. For a change in flavor...add either 1lb meat and 1lb ground sausage or 2lbs ground sausage! YUMMO
On the cheese layer...I like to melt the butter...then add the flour...melt and stir AND THEN add the parm/salt/garlic powder. Then eva milk and cheddar cheese.....
Seems to work out better this way...but do what you like best!

I also have a crunchy slaw and crock pot chocolate candy I'd like to share! Hubby has gone bananas on my slaw that he asked for it 3 times this week!!! Made it into a meal one night w/some sliced grilled chicken over it! Yummm

Point of the ceramic story? Yes I had a point.... I AM IN LOVE W/CERAMICS FOR BAKING! I think I'll have to add them to my Mother's Day List for more!!!

Don't forget about my LISA LEONARD GIVEAWAY