Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Tomato & Mozzarella Spaghetti Bake combining al dente spaghetti with a rich tomato and chili sauce, fresh basil, layers of melting mozzarella, and a crispy Parmesan topping. Perfect for a family dinner, this dish is baked until golden and bubbly, served best with a fresh green salad.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- Good pinch of chilli powder
- 400g spaghetti, broken into short lengths
- Handful basil leaves, plus a few extra for garnish
For the Topping
- 250g pack mozzarella, sliced
- 50g grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and fry for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, add a good pinch of chilli powder and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the broken spaghetti pieces according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the drained spaghetti with the tomato sauce and handful of chopped basil leaves, ensuring the pasta is well coated with sauce.
- Assemble the Bake: Spoon half of the spaghetti and tomato mixture into a large ovenproof dish. Arrange half of the sliced mozzarella evenly over the top. Sprinkle with half of the grated Parmesan. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Bake: Place the ovenproof dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is lightly browned and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, scatter extra fresh basil leaves on top for garnish, and serve immediately with a big green salad for a fresh contrast.
Notes
- Break the spaghetti into shorter lengths before cooking to make it easier to layer and serve.
- You can use vegetarian Parmesan alternative to keep it suitable for vegetarians.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the sauce during simmering.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; add a little water or extra sauce to keep it moist.
- Adjust the chilli powder amount to taste for desired spiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: tomato spaghetti bake, mozzarella pasta bake, baked spaghetti, vegetarian Italian recipe, easy pasta bake
