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Ultimate Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole

A foolproof, cheesy baked spaghetti casserole featuring layers of butter-tossed noodles, Italian sausage marinara, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for make-ahead dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 696

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces 1 pound spaghetti noodles
  • 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 24 –36 ounces marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Cook spaghetti 1–2 minutes under package instructions until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown Italian sausage until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté 2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
  6. In a bowl, whisk eggs, Parmesan, and melted butter. Toss with cooled spaghetti until coated.
  7. Layer half the noodles in the casserole dish. Spread half of the sausage sauce over noodles, sprinkle with half the mozzarella.
  8. Repeat layers with remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese. Cover with foil.
  9. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5–10 minutes more until cheese is melted and golden. Let rest 5–10 minutes, garnish with basil, and serve.