Spaghetti Bake Recipe 🍝

Overview:

This Spaghetti Bake recipe is a delightful twist on traditional lasagna, sourced from an old issue of “Canadian Living.” It’s a perfect make-ahead dish for busy days or family gatherings, offering a flavorful combination of Italian sausage, spinach, and gooey cheese baked to perfection.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 mild Italian sausages
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 4 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 6 oz spaghetti
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

Preparing the Meat Sauce:

1. In a large pot, cook the Italian sausages over medium-high heat, breaking them up with a spatula as they cook. Continue cooking until they are no longer pink.
2. Drain off excess fat from the pot.
3. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, and dried basil to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are softened.
4. Incorporate the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, and pepper into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for approximately 15 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate.
6. Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and set the sauce aside.

Preparing the Topping:

1. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir constantly.
4. Cook the mixture for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it thickens to a sauce-like consistency.
5. Add 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce, along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Cooking the Noodles:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water.
2. Drain the spaghetti and add it to the prepared meat sauce. Toss until the spaghetti is evenly coated.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease two 9×13-inch baking pans.
3. Spread the spaghetti and meat sauce mixture evenly into the prepared baking pans.
4. Pour the prepared cheese sauce over the spaghetti mixture, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
5. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each pan.

Baking:

1. Place the baking pans in the preheated oven.
2. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and golden brown on top.

Chef’s Tips:

• For a cheesier topping, reduce the amount of flour to 1/4 cup and the milk to 2 cups, while increasing the shredded mozzarella cheese to 1 1/2 cups. You can also add an additional half cup or more of mozzarella cheese sprinkled over the top before baking.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or swapping out the Italian sausage for ground beef or turkey.
• This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. Simply cover tightly with foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Allow the dish to come to room temperature before baking as directed.