Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients:

- 12 ounces spaghetti noodles

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

- 1 small onion, diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 1 teaspoon dried basil

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

2. Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into crumbles with a spoon or spatula, and cook until browned and cooked through.

4. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

5. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti noodles with the softened cream cheese, stirring until the noodles are evenly coated.

7. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

8. Spoon half of the sausage and tomato sauce mixture over the spaghetti layer in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

9. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce layer.

10. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture, sausage and tomato sauce mixture, and shredded cheddar cheese.

11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

12. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

13. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

14. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.

Serve the baked spaghetti hot as a comforting and satisfying meal for the whole family to enjoy!

Customize your baked spaghetti with additional toppings such as grated Parmesan cheese or sliced olives, if desired.

 

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