Description
A comforting baked spaghetti casserole featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti mixed with rich tomato sauce, layered with gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and baked until golden and bubbly. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon salt
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- Fresh basil, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheeses: Shred the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses if they are not pre-shredded, then set them aside for later use.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled casserole.
- Boil Water: Place a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat, add water, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to flavor the pasta water.
- Cook Spaghetti: Once boiling, add the spaghetti to the water and cook it for about 2 minutes less than the package instructions specify, ensuring the pasta remains firm.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked spaghetti using a colander, then return the pasta to the pot you used for cooking.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add 1 ½ cups of spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to the pot with spaghetti. Stir thoroughly to evenly combine the sauce and cheese with the noodles.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the sauced spaghetti mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan evenly on top. Finally, scatter fresh basil leaves over the cheese for added flavor and color.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand briefly before serving.
Notes
- Cooking pasta slightly under al dente prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
- You can substitute fresh basil with dried basil, adding it to the sauce while mixing the pasta.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce before mixing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use a non-stick or lightly greased baking dish to prevent sticking.
