The Bet

I am a mom of my word. If I make a promise, I am going to keep it. Or at least I'm going to try darn hard to. I want my boys to know when I say something, or tell them something, I will come through. It's an important life lesson I want them to learn, and no better way than by seeing me.

And that is how we come to The Bet; and how this recipe came to be. A few weeks ago we were having dinner at my in-laws. Before heading over Adam, Alex and I all started guessing as to what my mother in law would make for dinner. That was when the teenager asked "Should we make it interesting? Put money on it?"

Well, knowing how much money he had to his name, and what his allowance is, I knew that wasn't really worth my while, so I told him to pick something else. "Okay. Whoever wins gets to pick out a meal for next week, and you have to make it." Now that action, I will take!

As soon as we got there, and I walked through the kitchen, I knew I had lost. What had he picked? Meatballs and mashed potatoes. What was cooking on the stove? Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes. Yep, he won. When I showed him, we both dissolved into giggles; and had to share our little wager with them. They found it to be hilarious, and gave us all a chuckle.

So, what meal did he choose? Baked Mostaccioli, which I actually have a recipe for, but wanted to switch it up this time. About a week later, I made this, snapped a pic and texted my MIL saying, "I am a Mommy of my word!"

I am not much of a betting woman. I don't like the uncertainty of gambling. But if it involves food, and making my boy happy...I'll take that action!

Baked Mostaccioli

1 lb. mostaccioli, ziti or penne pasta

1 TBS vegetable oil

3 c. tomato sauce

1 c. heavy cream

1 lb. ground beef

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 medium white onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp. dried red pepper

1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided use

1/4 c. dried breadcrumbs

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dried Parsley

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking dish. Cook pasta to al dente, drain well. While pasta boils, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown beef, onion and garlic together until meat no longer pink. Add tomato sauce, cream, Italian seasoning, dried red pepper, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 5 minutes. When pasta is ready, add to sauce. Stir well. Add mozzarella in batches, stirring until melted. Add 1/4 c. Parmesan. Stir well. Transfer to baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, remaining Parmesan and dried parsley. Bake for 30-40 minutes until bubbling and browned on top.*NOTE* I made this with penne because I can almost never find mostaccioli noodles, and the store was out of ziti too.