Highlight
This filling pasta bake mixes hearty spaghetti with savory Italian sausage and a trio of cheeses for a truly satisfying comfort dish.
Key Components:
- Italian sausage: Brings deep taste
- Cheese blend: Mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta
- Marinara sauce: Two 24-oz containers
- Onion and fresh garlic: Adds complexity
- Dried oregano: Traditional Italian flavor
- Red pepper flakes: For extra kick if wanted
Highlight
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Get Everything Ready
- Cook sausage with onions
- Boil spaghetti until just tender
- Create cheese mixture
- Warm oven to 375°F
- Create Cheese Blend
- Mix room temp cream cheese
- Stir in Parmesan and ricotta
- Add herbs and spices
- Put aside for later
- Assemble Your Dish
- Combine pasta with meat mixture
- Put half in your baking dish
- Layer with cheese blend
- Top with leftover pasta
- Cook Until Done
- Sprinkle mozzarella on top
- Bake for 25-30 minutes
- Quick broil if you want
- Let it sit before eating
- Cool slightly before cutting
Keeping It Fresh:
Stays good in fridge for 2-3 days. You can freeze it uncooked too.
Fantastic Accompaniments:
Try it with some buttery garlic bread and a simple Caesar salad.
Highlight
Pro Suggestions:
- Use freshly shredded cheese
- Taste and adjust each layer
- Verify flavor before baking
- Don't leave broiler unattended
I've learned from making countless pasta dishes that the right layering method and proper cheese temp really make a difference in how the casserole turns out.
Recipe FAQs
- → Why cook pasta less?
- It prevents being too soft after baking.
- → What cheese can be swapped in?
- Try any Italian cheese mix, but keep the cream cheese base.
- → Okay to prepare in advance?
- You can prep it the day before. Just bake 10-15 minutes longer.
- → Can I freeze this?
- Yes, it’s freezer-friendly for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight.
- → Too much sauce issue?
- Extra sauce keeps it moist for leftovers.
Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
Baked spaghetti with marinara, cheesy layers, and hearty sausage, all golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
→ Base
→ Cheese Layer
→ Topping
Steps
Turn on your oven to 375°F. Mix up all the cheese ingredients for the middle layer.
Get the pasta ready—cook it just a couple of minutes less than usual. Brown up the sausage with the onions, then toss in the garlic.
Stir together the cooked pasta, the marinara, and the meat mixture.
Start with half the pasta mix, then add the cheese, then the rest of the pasta, and finish it with mozzarella on top.
Cover and bake for half an hour. Pop off the lid and broil until the top's golden.
Notes
- Wait 5-10 minutes after baking to slice it up.
- The cheese layer doesn't need to be spread perfectly.
- Adding extra marinara helps keep leftovers tasty.
Required Equipment
- Large baking pan (9x13)
- Big cooking pot
- Frying pan
Allergen Information
Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
- Includes dairy
- Includes wheat
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
- Calories: 742
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbs: 58 g
- Protein: 33 g