If you are looking for a new pasta bake recipe this one is simple, budget friendly, and great to feed the entire family. This Baked Spaghetti with Italian Sausage recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients in a few simple steps.
I made this spaghetti casserole over the winter on a weeknight where I was trying to use up things we had in the pantry. I had spaghetti noodles, frozen Italian sausage, and Italian cheese. What I didn’t have were any jars of pasta sauce. What I did have were a few different cans of diced tomatoes that I usually use to make a pot of chili.
Canned Tomatoes to make the sauce
I decide to put the canned tomatoes to work so that I didn’t have to run to the grocery store to finish my meal. Along came this simple Baked Spaghetti with Italian Sausage recipe. So you definitely can use jarred sauce if you have it but it was kind of interesting using the canned tomatoes to make a light fresh sauce. Or if you want to use your favorite meat sauce or fresh marinara sauce recipe, you can do that too!
What you need for this Baked Spaghetti Recipe
- Spaghetti Noodles
- Canned tomatoes
- Italian Sausage Links or Ground
- Cheese
- Carrot
- Onion
- Fresh Garlic or Garlic Powder (or seasonings of choice)
Is this Baked Spaghetti with Italian Sausage Dinner Budget Friendly?
With the price of groceries this year, I am always on the look out for whipping up new budget friendly meals for my family. This whole meal cost about $10 depending on the cost of your Italian Sausage. And this produces quite a bit of food. We had leftovers for two nights of dinner.
How to make this Baked Spaghetti with Italian Sausage Casserole
First boil you noodles. while that is going make the tomato sauce. If you are using jarred sauce (skip this part obviously).
How to make sauce with canned tomatoes
Grab your food processor or blender and add in the canned tomatoes. Zizz them up so that they are pureed unless you like your sauce more chunky.
In a large sauté pan. Warm up the pan and add in some oil, the chopped carrot and onions. Sautee for a few minutes until soft and fragrant. Then add in the pureed tomatoes. Go ahead and add in your garlic powder, Italian seasonings, or whatever seasonings you want (oregano, basil, etc.) Let it warm up and cook for a few minutes.
Cook the Italian Sausage
If you can handle three pans going grab another one and fry the Italian sausage with a little oil until no longer pink. Then remove and roughly chop them into chunks (unless its ground).
Once everything is done (before you drain the noodles, save a cup of the pasta water). Then drain and add the cooked noodles to the sauce along with the cooked sausage. Stir to toss.
Assemble
Spray your 9×13 dish with some non stick spray or rub with olive oil. Then pour half of the spaghetti mixture into the pan. Add half of the cheese. Then pour the rest of the noodles on top and finish off with the rest of the cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes until hot throughout. Then uncover and bake about 5-10 minutes longer.
Can I make this spaghetti casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely. Follow all of the steps. Then instead of baking, cover and refrigerate until ready to pop in the oven later or even the next day! Want to freeze it? Go for it! You could divide into two dishes and freeze one for another meal another night!
What to serve with this spaghetti dinner
- Red wine or Sangria
- Parmesan and Chive Bread or Garlic Bread
- A mixed green salad
Make sure to PIN IT!
Looking for other recipes using Ground Italian Sausage?
Make sure to check out my Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake or Italian Sausage and Cherry Tomato Pasta!
Baked Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
Equipment
- 1 food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of spaghetti noodles
- 2 Italian sausages or 1 lb ground
- 3 15 oz. Cans of diced tomatoes (plain or Italian flavor)
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 carrot shredded or finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder to taste
- Italian Seasoning to taste optional
- 2 cups Italian Blend or Mozzarella (divided) or more to your liking
Instructions
- First boil you noodles. while that is going make the tomato sauce. If you are using jarred sauce (skip this part obviously). Once done reserve 1 cup of the water and drain the rest.
- Grab your food processor or blender and add in the canned tomatoes. Zizz them up so that they are pureed unless you like your sauce more chunky.
- In a large sauté pan. Warm up the pan and add in some oil, the chopped carrot and onions. Sautee for a few minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Then add in the pureed tomatoes. Go ahead and add in your garlic powder, Italian seasonings, or whatever seasonings you want (oregano, basil, etc.) Let it warm up and cook for a few minutes.
- Add in the cooked spaghetti, the water, and cooked sausage to the sauce. Stir to toss everything together.
- Spray your 9×13 dish with some non stick spray or rub with olive oil. Then pour half of the spaghetti mixture into the pan. Add half of the cheese. Then pour the rest of the noodles on top and finish off with the rest of the cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes until hot throughout. Then uncover and bake about 5-10 minutes longer.
Notes
April 12, 2024 at 9:06 amHow much cheese. Not given in recipe ingredients
April 13, 2024 at 8:21 amYou are right! Sorry about that. 2 cups. 1 in middle layer 1 on top- or more to your liking!