Baked Spaghetti

My sister gave me this recipe years ago, and it is still one of our favorites! It is similar to lasagna, only easier. It is so, so tasty with eggplant! Thanks, Kristi!

Ingredients:
1 large eggplant (optional)
1 lb ground beef or sausage
12 oz spaghetti
24 oz pasta sauce
1/3 C Parmesan cheese
2 eggs (beaten)
2 tsp butter
18 oz cottage cheese
1 C mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Peel, slice, and boil eggplant until tender. Set aside.
2. Brown meat and drain well.
3. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti.
4. Add sauce to meat and simmer.
5. Immediately after draining spaghetti, stir in Parmesan cheese, eggs, and butter.
6. Grease 9"x13" pan.
7. On bottom of pan, spread 1/2 of meat and sauce mixture.
8. Layer 1/2 of noodle mixture on top of meat sauce.
9. Spread entire amount of cottage cheese on top of noodles.
10. Place eggplant slices on next.
11. Spread remaining noodles on eggplant.
12. Cover with remaining meat sauce.
13. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.
14. Spread mozzarella cheese on top.
15. Bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Serves 6-8.