Description
Spaghetti Bake brings classic Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with hearty layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese that dance together in pure deliciousness. Grab your fork and get ready to savor a traditional family recipe that feels like a warm hug from an Italian grandmother.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 400g spaghetti
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Aromatics and Oil:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Boil 400g spaghetti in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté 2 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour 2 cups marinara sauce into the skillet, adding 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mix drained spaghetti with 1 cup ricotta cheese and 1 cup shredded mozzarella in a large mixing bowl until pasta is evenly coated.
- Pour warm marinara sauce over pasta mixture, gently stirring to distribute sauce completely.
- Transfer pasta to prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese across the top of the pasta.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown around edges.
- Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set.
Notes
- Use high-quality marinara sauce for the best authentic Italian flavor.
- Allow the pasta to cool slightly before serving to help the sauce set and prevent burning your mouth.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Fresh herbs like basil can elevate the dish’s taste if sprinkled on top just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 505 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg