A comforting baked spaghetti recipe (made just a bit lighter) with an easy, flavor-packed homemade spaghetti sauce!
I've shared with you before how, when it comes to dinner, my family follows a bit of a 80-20 rule--80% healthy, and 20% indulgent on the healthy(ish) side. This baked spaghetti recipe falls in the latter category of indulgent-but-healthy(ish).
With all sorts of fancy pastas out there, it is easy to forget the humble spaghetti. But it's something most pantries have; versatile and easy to use! I love to make a simple olive oil spaghetti--sometimes, only tossing it in quality EVOO, garlic, and fresh herbs.
But when we're craving something more hearty, I opt for this vegetarian baked spaghetti. It doesn't have as much cheese as other recipes out there, and I do use part-skim cheese when possible; still this baked spaghetti will satisfy a comfort-food craving.
The kicker is really in my homemade spaghetti sauce (which, I'm realizing it needs its own post here on the blog.) A simple and relatively quick pasta sauce with just a few ingredients that offer the perfect balance of flavors. The secret ingredient? Finely grated carrots. They add texture, earthy sweetness, and a welcomed depth of flavor.
What to serve with this baked spaghetti?
This baked spaghetti casserole can be the perfect addition to a large special dinner. But, because it's hearty enough, if you're serving a small family, this can stand in as the main course. I usually make a large bowl of fattoush or this 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad to start.
Baked Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: serves 6
Description
BEST baked spaghetti recipe! A comforting pasta casserole that is on the healthy-ish side using less cheese (part-skim, when possible). The kicker is in the easy, flavor-packed homemade spaghetti sauce. The perfect texture and balance of flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 lb thin spaghetti (whole grain spaghetti, if you like)
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta (I used this one)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 to 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella (non-fat, if possible), more to your liking
For Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- ¼ cup Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely grated (I used this box grater)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- Salt and Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
- ¼ cup each fresh torn basil and chopped parsley leaves
- Crushed red pepper, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Make the sauce. In a large oven-proof pan or braiser like this one, heat the olive oil over medium until just shimmering. Add the onions. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the garlic and carrots and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Now add the crushed tomatoes, water, a generous pinch of salt and pepper, oregano, and paprika.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring regularly. Turn heat down to low, cover and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes (occasionally check and give the sauce a stir).
- While sauce is simmering, cook the pasta to al dente according to package. Drain and rinse.
- When sauce is ready, uncover and add the cooked pasta. Stir until pasta is well-coated.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta and grated Parmesan. Add the mixture to the spaghetti. Stir until well-combined.
- Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella. Transfer to oven, uncovered.
- Bake in 375 degrees F heated-oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melty and bubbly. If you like to give the top of the baked spaghetti some color and crunch, simply switch to broil briefly (watch carefully).
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil and parsley. Add crushed peppers, if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- Recommended for This Recipe: Our Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil (from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives). And from our all-natural spice collection: Sweet Spanish Paprika.
- SAVE! Try our olive oil bundle or our Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle! Create your own 6-pack from our all-natural or organic spice collections!
- Visit our store to browse our spices, olive oils and bundles!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean/Vegetarian
More Recipes to Try
21 Mediterranean Christmas Brunch Recipes
Easy Greek Chicken and Potatoes
Baked Salmon with Garlic-Balsamic Glaze
SHOP THE MEDITERRANEAN DISH
Any reason why I couldn't do this in a dutch oven? I don't have a braiser. Thanks!
Sure! Whatever you have handy should work!!
This is the best sauce! I've been trying all different recipes for sauce and this is AMAZING!
So glad!
Monday night hit with my guys...
Awesome, Tomika! This is one of those comfort foods that we love!
Just made this this evening and it came out sooooo great! I added ground turkey and mushrooms to my sauce as well. SO DELICIOUS!
Awesome, Kara! Thanks so much for sharing your version...love the idea of adding turkey and mushrooms!
Your link for your braiser is actually the same link as your grater box 🙁
Could you please tell me what the name of the braiser is?
Hi Joanne! Just fixed the link. I can't find my exact one on Amazon. I added a link to a similar one.
This looks so delicious, I would love to try it
thank you for sharing
Enjoy!
Hi, Suzy.
First of all, I want to greet you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I love spaghetti and it is baked so double win! This dish is totally what I'll prepare for my niece's birthday.
Thank you, Joseph!
Love it! I want it all!
it's so good!
I made this today and it was so yummy. This is a keeper. I plan to use this recipe on a regular basis.
Janice, I am so so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!
Oh WOW. This looks incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy!!!
Dear Suzy, I love baked spaghetti...this dish looks fantastic. What a beautiful meal..pinning for later! xo, Catherine
This Baked Spaghetti looks wonderful. You are going to laugh, but I have never had it baked. I'm definitely going to put this on my must try list. I bet your homemade sauce is delicious too!
Heidy
Oh I hope you'll give it a try, Heidy! Thanks so much for stopping in!
Beautiful pictures Suzy! It's true that we tend to forget spaghetti sometimes but this recipe is a beautiful reminder that it can be the start of something very yummy!
Yummy! My son loves spaghetti so much. He'll go crazy when I make this!
Yay! I hope you'll make it for him!
This looks super tasty! I love a good warm skillet dish. This looks like a wonderful, comforting meal.
Thanks, Jenni! Glad you like it
How delicious is that! I love baked spaghetti and I especially love that you did this in a skillet. Thank you!
I use my skillets all the time! Love an easy bake-n-serve type meal. Thanks for stopping in!