Description
Cheesy baked pizza spaghetti brings Italian comfort to your dinner table, blending pasta and pizza flavors into one delightful dish. Layers of melted cheese, savory sauce, and crispy edges make this meal irresistible for hungry families seeking a quick, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti noodles
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fully-cooked Italian sausage links, sliced
- 24 pepperonis
Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150 grams) red bell pepper, diced
Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (100 grams) parmesan cheese, finely grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F, creating an ideal baking environment for the pizza spaghetti fusion.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Thoroughly drain pasta in a colander.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with rich marinara sauce, creating a vibrant base. Incorporate sliced sausage and chopped bell peppers, ensuring every strand is generously coated.
- Spread the saucy spaghetti mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish, creating a uniform layer. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese across the surface, providing a luxurious cheese blanket.
- Artfully arrange pepperoni slices across the cheese-covered dish, creating an appetizing mosaic of toppings. Place the casserole in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15 minutes, watching the cheese transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece. Remove when the edges are crispy and cheese is completely melted.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes for marinara sauce to enhance the dish’s authentic flavor profile.
- Prevent soggy pasta by slightly undercooking spaghetti before baking, allowing it to finish cooking in the casserole and absorb sauce perfectly.
- Customize protein options by substituting sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary preferences and healthier alternatives.
- Boost nutritional value by adding spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to increase vegetable content without compromising the delicious cheesy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg