Family-Style Cheesy Spaghetti Bake

September is here and so is the new school year. This year has so many unknowns for kids going back to school as well as the parents. I talked to a fellow business owner recently who was shedding tears over her daughter’s online preschool situation. Several of my friends are teachers and all are learning lots of new technology skills as they enter the world of full time or part time online classes. And then some families are choosing to take on home schooling altogether which presents its own challenges. All of it requires our support and care as parents now juggle jobs along with the new school reality. Recipes that are delicious, easy, can be made ahead, and are likely to have leftovers are helpful to have during tough seasons. Today’s Family-Style Cheesy Spaghetti Bake recipe fits those categories.

When I make spaghetti, I generally fall back on my simple homemade spaghetti sauce which you can find here. However, there is nothing wrong with using sauce in a jar now and then and some days call for it. What is nice about this recipe is that you can use your favorite jar of spaghetti or marinara sauce. This is also an economic meal that makes a lot and does not use expensive ingredients. I did upgrade this recipe with a cheese blend and an herbed bread crumb topping- mmmmmmmm! Even as I type this there is a dish of this yumminess in the over. It is easy to pack for a lunch and it keeps well in the fridge. This is a very versatile recipe, so pin this one to your Pinterest boards!

Family-Style Cheesy Spaghetti Bake

1 23.5 oz jar of spaghetti or marinara sauce

16 oz. of spaghetti noodles cooked

1 lb. of Italian sausage, crumbled and cooked

1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella (cheddar works well here too!)

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan

1/2 cup of Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

2 tbsps. of melted butter

Heat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is heating grease a casserole pan and set aside. Next, combine cooked noodles, cooked sausage, and whole jar of sauce. Once combine put spaghetti into greased pan. On top of this add mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Combine melted butter and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top of spaghetti. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook for 15 minutes more. Remove from oven. Cool and serve.

Try serving with a simple salad of sliced cucumbers tossed with this zesty Italian dressing recipe here.