Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Pasta Casserole Recipe Is a Budget High-Protein Dinner That Makes Everyone Happy by Jan Mostrom
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Last week I promised to make a dinner for a sweet young family I know and love. Dad was traveling and mom has a business and three kiddos. I completely forgot. Enter this simple, kid-friendly, vegetarian or not, simple baked spaghetti recipe.
The ingredient list for this high-protein spaghetti casserole recipe is so basic that you might just have all the ingredients ready and waiting inside your pantry and freezer already. Here is your shopping list for this cheesy baked spaghetti casserole recipe: spaghetti noodles, olive oil, yellow onion, fresh garlic, ground beef or ground turkey (omit for a vegetarian dinner), dried Italian seasoning, a can of crushed or diced tomatoes, a can of tomato sauce, marinara sauce (jarred or homemade marinara sauce), fresh basil, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
You can serve this baked spaghetti casserole recipe for dinner with a simple salad and crusty bread. This pasta casserole is one simple, budget-friendly, high-protein family dinner that makes everyone happy!
Cuisine: Italian / American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 28 ounces (1 can) crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces (1 can) tomato sauce
- 2 - 4 cups marinara sauce (I used jarred marinara)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Here's how to make it:
- Place a large stock pot on the stove on high. Add a couple of good pinches of salt to the water and bring to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions for al dente, drain and set aside. (Do not overcook the pasta or it will be mushy.)
- Preheat a large skillet on medium with the olive oil. When it is hot add the onions and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add garlic to the onions and cook for another minute.
- If adding meat, add it to the onions and garlic with Italian seasonings, salt and pepper. Cook meat for about 7 to 8 minutes. If not adding meat just add the spices, stir and continue to the next step. Add crushed tomatoes, 2 cups marinara and tomato sauce with the basil and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add spaghetti noodles to sauce and stir. If the noodles need a bit more sauce, add the additional 2 cups of marinara and stir.
- Pour noodles into a 13x9-inch baking dish that's been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a sprinkle of basil and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.
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