The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Spaghetti: Your Perfect Pizza Companion!
The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Spaghetti: Your Perfect Pizza Companion!
Make Delicious Cheesy Baked Spaghetti at Home – The Perfect Partner to Pizza
There are days when this dish calls to you more than pizza! Since ordering just spaghetti from a pizza place isn’t always an option, I decided to make it at home. With its rich cheese and savory sauce, this baked spaghetti is incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to prepare. Enjoy a delightful meal that perfectly complements your favorite pizza!
Ingredients- Spaghetti: 100g
- Mushrooms (e.g., Button or Cremini): 2 medium, sliced
- Onion: 1/2 medium, finely chopped
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 100g
- Spaghetti Sauce (your favorite kind): 200mL
- Butter: 20g
- Dried Parsley Flakes: A pinch (optional, for garnish)
- Salt: 1/2 Tbsp (for boiling pasta)
- Pasta Water: 10ml (reserved, for sauce consistency)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing all your ingredients for a smooth cooking process. Finely chop the onion and thinly slice the mushrooms. Freshness is key to great flavor!
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the 1/2 Tbsp of salt (this is for the pasta water, not part of the recipe quantities). Add the spaghetti and cook for approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds. We’re cooking it slightly less than al dente because it will be baked further in the oven, ensuring a delightful texture.
Step 3
Once the spaghetti is cooked to your desired slightly firm texture, drain it thoroughly. Importantly, reserve about 10ml of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold will help create a wonderfully smooth and flavorful sauce later on.
Step 4
In a skillet, melt the 20g of butter over medium-low heat. Ensure the butter melts gently without burning, coating the bottom of the pan.
Step 5
Add the chopped onion to the melted butter and sauté until softened and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma. Then, add the sliced mushrooms and cook alongside the onions until they soften and release their moisture.
Step 6
Once the onions and mushrooms are well-cooked and fragrant, pour in the reserved 10ml of pasta water and 200mL of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Stir everything together until well combined and the sauce begins to simmer gently.
Step 7
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to ensure every strand of pasta is coated in the delicious sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the sauce’s flavor.
Step 8
Transfer the sauced spaghetti into an oven-safe dish or an aluminum pasta container. Generously top the spaghetti with the 100g of shredded mozzarella cheese. (Oops, I forgot to take a photo of this cheesy step! Please imagine a mountain of glorious cheese!)
Step 9
Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F). Bake until the mozzarella cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
Step 10
The cheese should be perfectly melted in about 5 minutes. Once the cheese is golden and slightly browned in spots, carefully remove the dish from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of dried parsley flakes for a touch of color and freshness. Your incredibly satisfying cheesy baked spaghetti is ready to be enjoyed!
