Classic Baked Spaghetti | The Recipe Critic

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13 deep casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Prepare the 16 ounces spaghetti noodles in boiling water according to the package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside. (I like to cook my noodles for 1-2 minutes under what the package calls for, so they are just al dente.)

Meanwhile, add 1 pound Italian sausage to a 12-inch skillet and cook it over medium-high heat until no pink remains, about 7-10 minutes. Drain the fat, then add 1 medium chopped onion and 1 tablespoon minced garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the 36 ounces marinara sauce, ¼ cup tomato paste, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix to combine and then remove the skillet from the heat.

In a large bowl, combine 2 large eggs, ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, and 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and mix until the noodles are fully coated.

Layer half of the spaghetti noodles on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, followed by half of the sausage sauce and half of the 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, sauce, and cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5-10 minutes longer, until the cheese on top has melted and starts to brown. You can even turn on the broiler and broil the top for a minute or two to speed it up. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before topping with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil and serving.