Pasta is a regular in most households, right? I mean, most weeks we have it more than once because it’s just so easy to make a recipe the whole family will love when its centered around perfectly cooked al dente pasta. We of course have our favorites like this Rosemary-cream chicken pasta and this totally delectable tomato-cream rigatoni but we all want something new from time to time, don’t we? Last week I was planning on making a classic mac & cheese but when I went to cook the pasta, realized I didn’t have any macaroni in the house. All I had was a pack of spaghetti and so that would have to do. And so, my creamy baked spaghetti was born. And my family absolutely loved it. Spaghetti is always a good idea where kids are concerned and I could make it hours in advance and just quickly bake it off before serving. What’s not to love? I flavored the sauce with garlic powder and smoked paprika but feel free to add any herbs and spices you like. The creamy sauce is a blank canvas for flavorr. You could even go fancy-pants and add crispy bacon, roasted vegetables or mix in some bolognese sauce. I like to keep it simple though and serve it with a zesty, crunchy side salad and honestly, it is just the most delicious, easy, simple weeknight recipe. The leftovers are pretty awesome the next day too.
How long to make baked spaghetti
Make a simple white sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly whisk in milk, cream and spices then allow to simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. Turn the heat down and add the grated cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and season to taste. Pour the sauce over cooked spaghetti then transfer the spaghetti mixture to a baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese then place in a hot oven and allow to bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve.
Spaghetti recipes:
