Gooey Baked Spasagna Recipe: A Divine Fusion Pasta Delight

Dive into the world of comfort food with a delightful baked spasagna that combines the best of two classic pasta dishes.

This mouthwatering spasagna recipe blends rich layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese into one irresistible meal.

Creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and perfectly cooked noodles create a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Each forkful promises a hearty and satisfying experience that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The recipe comes together easily, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.

Prepare to be transported to an Italian kitchen with this ultimate crowd-pleasing dish that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast.

How To Make Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Pasta Preparation

Grab your spaghetti and cook it until perfectly tender. Let the noodles drain and chill out while you work on the next steps.

• Meaty Foundation

Brown the ground meat in a sizzling skillet. Pour in the marinara sauce and let those flavors mingle and dance together. Let the sauce simmer and get all rich and delicious.

• Creamy Mixture Magic

In a big bowl, blend the cheeses, eggs, and seasonings into a smooth, tangy mixture. Toss the cooked spaghetti into this creamy goodness, making sure every noodle gets coated.

• Layer Love

Grab a baking dish and start building your masterpiece. Spread the cheesy noodle mixture as the first layer, then blanket it with the meaty sauce. Repeat the layers and crown the top with a generous sprinkle of extra cheese.

• Oven Transformation

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into a preheated oven. After a short bake, remove the foil and let the cheese turn golden and bubbly. The aroma will drive everyone wild.

• Delicious Finale

Let the spasagna rest and settle for a few minutes. Slice into hearty portions and serve with a fresh side salad. Dinner is served and taste buds are about to celebrate!

Helpful Tips For Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling the spasagna and refrigerating it for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
• Protein Power Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Use gluten-free spaghetti and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified. This simple swap makes the recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding diced jalapeños. For a milder version, omit spicy elements completely or use a mild Italian sausage instead of a hot variety.

Best Way To Serve Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Salad Symphony: Pair this hearty dish with a crisp mixed green salad topped with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a zesty Italian vinaigrette to balance the richness of the spasagna.
• Bread Buddy Boost: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted herbed focaccia on the side to soak up the delicious meat sauce and add a delightful crunch to your meal.
• Wine Companion Delight: Complement the robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the meaty, cheesy goodness of the spasagna.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and a pop of color to the dish.

Store And Reheat Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Quick Cool-Down Strategy: Allow the spasagna to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps stabilize its structure and makes cutting cleaner and easier.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store leftover spasagna in airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen spasagna stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire dish in a 350F oven covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying out and maintain the creamy texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 7

What You Need For Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Spaghetti: Select a high-quality pasta that holds sauce well and provides a hearty texture to the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Ground Beef, Sausage: Choose lean meat for a rich, meaty flavor without excessive grease.
• Marinara Sauce: Pick a robust, authentic sauce with deep tomato notes and balanced seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a Mediterranean herb blend that elevates the sauce's complexity.
• Onion Powder: Delivers a concentrated, sweet onion essence without chunky texture.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle, warming heat for those who enjoy a spicy kick.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a luxurious, smooth base that binds ingredients beautifully.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps create a velvety texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a sharp, nutty undertone and helps with browning.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides that irresistible, stretchy melted cheese experience.
• Eggs: Act as a natural binder, helping to set the creamy layers.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavor elements.
• Garlic Powder: Rounds out the seasoning with its deep, aromatic profile.

Gear Up For Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning meat and simmering sauce.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining pasta and creamy mixture.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for layering and baking the spasagna.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked spaghetti.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover the dish while baking.

Cheesy Baked Spasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty baked spasagna combines classic Italian pasta layers with comforting midwestern casserole techniques. Melted cheese, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 16 oz (454 grams) ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 lb (454 grams) spaghetti
• 1 jar (24 oz / 680 grams) marinara sauce
• 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Calibrate oven to 375F (190C), establishing optimal thermal conditions for baking.
2. Pasta Preparation: Boil spaghetti until achieving perfect al dente consistency, then drain carefully.
3. Meat and Sauce Development: Brown selected meat in skillet, discarding excess fat. Integrate marinara with Italian seasoning, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Simmer sauce to intensify flavor profile.
4. Cheese Fusion: Whisk ricotta, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into harmonious blend. Incorporate cooked spaghetti, ensuring complete coating.
5. Layering Foundation: Lightly grease baking dish. Spread initial spaghetti-cheese layer across bottom, creating substantial base.
6. Meat Sauce Integration: Distribute half the meat sauce over pasta layer, establishing robust flavor foundation.
7. Final Assembly: Complete layering with remaining spaghetti mixture, topping with residual meat sauce. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan for golden, melted surface.
8. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil, bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into bubbling, golden landscape.
9. Serving Presentation: Rest briefly to stabilize flavors and texture. Slice and serve immediately, complemented by fresh salad or warm garlic bread for complete dining experience.

Notes

• Pasta Precision: Cook spaghetti just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, maintaining a perfect texture throughout the dish.
• Meat Management: Thoroughly drain excess fat from browned meat to avoid a greasy final result and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Cheese Coating Technique: Fully coat spaghetti with cheese mixture before layering to guarantee each strand is evenly seasoned and creamy.
• Temperature Control: Let the spasagna rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and make cutting easier without losing structural integrity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg