Description
A delicious creamy spaghetti dish with marinara sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used Badia minced garlic with chili peppers)
- 2 jars marinara sauce (32 oz each, tomato basil recommended)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 10 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella (cut into tiny cubes (½ cup per layer))
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- Fresh parsley (for topping)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in both jars of marinara sauce. Add about ¼ cup water to each empty jar, shake well, and pour into the sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and simmer another 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add the creamy marinara directly into the pot with the cooked spaghetti. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Add half of the spaghetti mixture to the dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with ½ cup cubed mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Using a small cookie scoop, add about 8 scoops of ricotta evenly over the layer.
- Add the remaining spaghetti mixture and smooth it out.
- Small dollops of ricotta scattered across the top.
- Remaining ½ cup mozzarella.
- Remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Fresh parsley.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 15–20 more minutes, or until the pasta is hot and bubbly and the cheese is perfectly melted.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving so everything sets up beautifully.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Feel free to add cooked vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg