Pasta Sauce

This comforting pasta casserole brings together the simple joys of Italian-American cooking. Tender spaghetti is tossed with a rich tomato sauce, spicy Italian sausage, and sweet green peppers, then topped with generous cubes of fresh mozzarella. The dish bakes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It&# 226;ÂÂs an ideal weeknight meal that feels special enough for company but is easy enough for busy evenings. The combination of savory meat, sweet vegetables, and creamy cheese makes every bite satisfying. Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a complete, home-style dinner that the whole family will love.

Cooking Method: Boiling

Cuisine: American

Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6

Calories: 79.4

Description

This comforting pasta casserole brings together the simple joys of Italian-American cooking. Tender spaghetti is tossed with a rich tomato sauce, spicy Italian sausage, and sweet green peppers, then topped with generous cubes of fresh mozzarella. The dish bakes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It&# 226;ÂÂs an ideal weeknight meal that feels special enough for company but is easy enough for busy evenings. The combination of savory meat, sweet vegetables, and creamy cheese makes every bite satisfying. Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a complete, home-style dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

4 Oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
ÃÂº uncovered for 45 minutes.

Directions

1
Preheat the oven to 350ÃÂ°F (175ÃÂ°C).
2
Lightly grease a spaghetti casserole dish or baking pan.
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until tender, about 10 minutes.
4
Drain the pasta and rinse briefly with cool water.
5
While the pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart until fully cooked.
6
Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
7
Add the green peppers to the sausage drippings and cook for 3 minutes until tender.
8
In a large bowl, toss the drained spaghetti with the pasta sauce.
9
Add the cooked sausage, peppers, and red pepper flakes to the spaghetti and mix well.
10
Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
11
Top evenly with the cubed mozzarella cheese.
12
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 79.4kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6.2g10%
Saturated Fat 4.0g20%
Cholesterol 19.8mg7%
Sodium 177.2mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 0.9g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.3g
Protein 6.2g13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.

You can substitute fresh mozzarella with shredded provolone or cheddar for a different flavor profile.

Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your preference for spice.

Keywords: pasta, sauce, spaghetti, sausage, mozzarella, cheese, peppers, casserole, dinner, american, italian, comfort food, easy, weeknight, family, hearty, saucy, baked

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/pasta-sauce-4/