Favorite Baked Spaghetti

Favorite Baked Spaghetti Tips

Should I cover pasta while baking?

To ensure the spaghetti is warm and bubbly throughout, it’s a good idea to cover the pasta while baking. Covering the spaghetti while it bakes for the first 40 minutes in the oven allows for heat circulation and even baking. A sheet of aluminum foil does the trick.

Can baked spaghetti be made ahead of time?

Save yourself some time later on and bake spaghetti ahead of time! You can keep the prebaked casserole assembled and wrapped with plastic wrap in your refrigerator for up to two days. To assemble and freeze the prebaked spaghetti, wrap the casserole in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. When you are ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator, then proceed with baking as directed (if you bake directly from frozen, be sure to add additional time). Feeling time-crunched at dinner? Try even more make-ahead 13x9 recipes for your family.

What meat goes well with spaghetti?

There are so many meat options that go well with spaghetti. You can easily swap out ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to the beef. For a slightly spicier and flavorful option, try ground sausage.

What dessert goes well with spaghetti?

Try an Italian dessert that goes well with spaghetti, such as classic tiramisu, cannoli or panna cotta with berries. Or, simply brew some espresso and serve with almond biscotti.

Research contributed by Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant Baked Spaghetti Puttanesca: Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic while cooking the ground beef mixture. After draining, stir in 3 tablespoons rinsed and drained capers, 1 cup coarsely chopped black olives, 3 finely chopped anchovy fillets and 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Proceed as directed, topping with additional olives and capers before serving.