Easy Baked Spaghetti

There are very few people who would not relish a meal of spaghetti. Whether you want to whip up a quick meal, or want to have an elaborate meal, baked spaghetti is no doubt a great choice. According to me, the best part about baked spaghetti is that it often does not go wrong. It can be enjoyed by vegetarians, vegans and non vegetarians. Also the dish does not become monotonous with the various options one can combine it with. Without any more talk on spaghetti, we will turn to some interesting recipes.

Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipes

There are different methods, which you can implement to increase the nutritional value of the dish. From adding different vegetables, meat or even squashes. Also you can choose to serve it with garlic bread or with your favorite salad.

With Meat
Although this is a meat spaghetti, if you like vegetables, then some can be added to the recipe. You can add vegetables like beans, carrot, etc. to the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 package spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion
• 26 ounce size meatless spaghetti sauce
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 tablespoons butter
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt

Method

• Read the package on how to cook spaghetti and follow the instructions accurately.
• While the spaghetti cooks, let chopped onion and beef cook on low to medium heat, till the meat does not appear pink.
• Once the meat is cooked, add spaghetti sauce along with seasoned salt and let it cook for about a minute.
• Keep the sauce aside.
• Whisk the eggs well and add Parmesan cheese and butter to the eggs and mix well.
• After spaghetti is cooked drain it and add it to the cheese and egg mixture.
• Toss all the ingredients so that spaghetti is well coated.
• Grease the baking dish and layer it with half the quantity of tossed spaghetti, cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers and bake covered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Let the spaghetti bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, till cheese melts.

With Spinach
I like the taste spinach lends to the recipe. If you like it, you can also add corn kernels to the recipe. It will enhance the taste of the recipe. Tofu can be replaced with cottage cheese as well.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups tomato sauce or pizza sauce
• ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 12 ounces tofu
• 10 ounce chopped spinach
• ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp. black pepper
• salt to taste

Method

• Saute chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil till soft for about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Now add tomato or pizza sauce along with oregano and chopped parsley.
• Cover the pan and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, till well cooked.
• While the sauce cooks, cook spaghetti as per the instructions on the package, until al dente.
• It is best not to add salt to the spaghetti.
• In a mixing bowl, mash tofu and add chopped spinach, pepper, salt and nutmeg and mix well.
• Once spaghetti cooks, add it to the tofu mixture and mix well.
• Grease a baking dish.
• Place one quarter of sauce at the bottom of the baking dish and top it with spinach layer and then with spaghetti.
• Continue to layer the dish and end it with sauce.
• The last layer will be grated mozzarella cheese.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Uncover and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes.

These were two of my personal baked spaghetti recipes. No doubt there are a number of recipes out there. If you come across a great recipe, do let me know, so that I can also relish some great spaghetti recipes.