You may be wondering, “Why would I even consider baking spaghetti?” However, the same rationale applies as to why you would bake ziti or any other pasta casserole. Baking spaghetti allows the pasta to absorb flavors from the sauce, and when you top it with a layer of melted cheese, it transforms into an incredibly tasty and comforting casserole. Trust me, the additional 30 minutes of baking time are absolutely worth it.
What’s in Baked Spaghetti
What more could you ask for in this super easy baked spaghetti casserole? It only requires three key elements: spaghetti, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese.
If you’re pressed for time, you can simply replace my homemade meat sauce for this casserole with a jar of pasta sauce from the store. Additionally, if you prefer a meatier sauce and have the means to do so, you can increase the amount of sausage to a whole pound.
Can You Sub Ground Beef?
To enhance the flavor of your meat sauce when using ground beef instead of Italian sausage, be sure to increase the amount of herbs and spices you incorporate. Italian sausage is known for its rich spice blend, which adds a significant amount of flavor to the sauce. Therefore, substituting it with plain ground beef means you’ll need to compensate by doubling up on the seasonings.
What Else Can I Add?
This recipe offers ample opportunities for personalization. You have the option to incorporate sautéed mushrooms, chopped spinach, olives, or perhaps even some sautéed zucchini to enhance the dish with additional vegetables.
For an extra level of cheesiness, consider incorporating crumbled feta or even additional mozzarella into the cheese layer. However, to keep it more affordable, I opted for a lighter amount of cheese and sausage in my version.
How to Store Baked Spaghetti
Once the spaghetti is baked, divide it into six portions and refrigerate. It will remain fresh in the fridge for approximately 4-5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the individually sliced portions after they are fully chilled for extended storage. This dish is ideal for meal prepping, as it allows you to conveniently retrieve a serving from the freezer during a hectic evening, saving you a great deal of time and effort.
What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti
If you’re looking to pair your baked spaghetti with some veggies, I’d recommend having Homemade Garlic Bread alongside. For a vegetable side dish, Oven Roasted Frozen Broccoli or a refreshing side salad would be great choices.
How to Make Baked Spaghetti – Step By Step Photos
Chop a yellow onion into dice-sized pieces and finely mince four cloves of garlic.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add ½ pound of Italian sausage and cook until it becomes browned.
Mix in the diced onion and minced garlic, and proceed to cook and stir for a few additional minutes, or until the onions become tender and see-through.
Incorporate into the skillet: 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28oz.), 3oz. tomato paste, ½ tsp of Italian seasoning, ½ tsp of salt, and ½ cup of water.
Continuously stir the sauce until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and then allow it to simmer while you prepare the pasta. Additionally, start preheating the oven to 350ºF.
To begin, pour 1/2 tablespoon of salt into a large pot filled with water. Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a boil. Next, add 12 ounces of spaghetti to the boiling water and let it cook until it is slightly underdone (as it will continue cooking in the oven). Finally, drain the cooked spaghetti using a colander.
As the pasta simmers, begin making the cheese layer by combining 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese, ¼ cup of grated Parmesan, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
Combine the drained spaghetti with the simmered meat sauce.
Gently coat a casserole dish measuring 8×11 inches (or 2 liters) with a thin layer of grease. Place half of the spaghetti and meat sauce in the dish, followed by a generous layer of the cheese mixture on top.
Place the remaining portion of spaghetti and meat sauce into the dish, followed by a generous layer of 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top.
Place the casserole dish in the preheated 350ºF oven and cover it tightly with foil. Allow it to bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Allow the pasta to cool for approximately 5 minutes. Afterwards, cut it into six pieces and serve. While you may choose to garnish with chopped parsley for visual appeal, it is not necessary for enhancing the flavor.
