Description
This Spaghetti Sauce Casserole is a warm, cheesy, and comforting dish that combines pasta with the rich flavors of your leftover spaghetti sauce. It’s an easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
- 2 cups leftover spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with oil or cooking spray.
- Prepare the Pasta Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, leftover spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure everything is coated evenly.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with a layer of the remaining shredded mozzarella (¼ cup) and Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons).
- Add the rest of the pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the surface.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh touch. Serve warm and enjoy with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- Feel free to add cooked vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for added nutrition.
- If you prefer a meatier casserole, you can stir in cooked ground beef, sausage, or shredded chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: ~380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg