Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Have I got a heartwarming, uncomplicated delight for you—my Easy Baked Spaghetti! It’s a surefire hit to create memorable meals any day of the week.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 8 servings

Pasta lovers unite! I’m super excited to share with you this Baked Spaghetti recipe, straight from the kitchens of Italy, right onto your dinner table. It’s wholesome, it’s heartwarming, and it’s all the comfort food you could ever want.

This drool-worthy feast is like your classic spaghetti had a love-child with a warm, snug casserole. Think spaghetti carbonara or beef Bolognese, but with a twist: it’s baked! (If you want a similar recipe but intend on freezing it, try my Baked Spaghetti Freezer Meal.) Picture golden-brown goodness on top, all crisp and tempting. All right, pasta ninjas, tie up those aprons and let’s dive headfirst into this delicious spaghetti story!

Ingredients

This snug spaghetti dish is so close, I can almost taste it! Here’s what you’ll need…

• 1 lb. minced sausage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 32 oz. marinara sauce
• salt and pepper
• ¾ lb. spaghetti
• 1 cup mozzarella, grated

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet on MEDIUM. Add the sausage meat. Cook until browned.

• Add your marinara sauce over the browned sausage meat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Turn down the heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes.

• Boil a pot of water and add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente, as indicated on the package.

• Add the spaghetti to the skillet of sausage meat and mix thoroughly.

• Transfer to a baking dish and top with cheese. Place it in the oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Top with basil and serve.

Tips & Tricks

• Under-boil the spaghetti slightly so it can absorb the rich flavors of the sauce when baked.
• Use quality marinara sauce and sausage for the best flavors.
• If you like that crispy finish like me, bake until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
• Use freshly grated mozzarella for better texture and flavor, always better to avoid all those ugly additives the pre-shredded stuff have.

Serving Suggestions

I like to pair my Easy Baked Spaghetti with a traditional Caprese Salad and/or some garlic bread for an extra touch of indulgence. For that finishing touch, sprinkle on some freshly grated Parmesan and dine on a restaurant-style Italian feast without setting foot out the door!

FAQs

Variations

• Infuse some spice and substitute the sausage with a fiery chorizo, you will add a lovely Spanish flair.
• You can also switch up the pasta to use whole wheat spaghetti for a healthier version.
• I also like this seafood twist, use a combination of shrimp and calamari in place of sausage.
• For a vegetarian option, replace the sausage with roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini.
• And finally, for a richer dish you can layer in creamy béchamel sauce between the spaghetti and cheese (a bit like a lasagna).

How To Prep and Store Your Baked Spaghetti

You can easily prep this meal and store it away for later. If we’re talking a day or so, put it all together, cover it up, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, put it in the oven as prescribed in the recipe. You can also freeze this dish. As for any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and then in your fridge for up to three days. When it comes time to eat, you can either microwave it or reheat it in the oven until it’s warm.