Baked Spaghetti Dish
A hearty baked spaghetti dish combining savory tomato, mushroom, and olive flavors with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped red or yellow onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes with liquid, cut up ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 2 cans sliced olives, drained ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 12 oz. thin spaghetti, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1/4 cup water ⓘ
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion and green pepper in butter until tender.
- Add the canned tomatoes with liquid, sliced mushrooms, drained sliced olives, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked and drained spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, water, and grated mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the spaghetti mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing minced garlic with the onion and green pepper. If you don't have thin spaghetti, any pasta shape will work. You can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade béchamel for a fresher taste. Using fresh mozzarella instead of grated can elevate this dish, pairing beautifully with Italian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this baked spaghetti dish with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad to balance the richness. Pair it with a glass of red wine for a delightful meal. For an Italian-themed dinner, add a slice of Italian Eggplant Parmigiana to your plate for a delicious combination.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for convenience.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Baked Spaghetti Dish contains roughly 584 calories, with 38g protein, 23g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (177% of the Daily Value), protein (77% of the Daily Value), and calcium (76% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1286mg per serving (56% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the baked spaghetti ahead of time. Assemble the dish without baking, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of canned tomatoes?
If you prefer, you can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned. Approximately 4 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes will work, but you may need to adjust the cooking time to allow them to break down into a sauce. Adding a splash of tomato sauce can also enhance the flavor.
Is there a vegetarian option for this dish?
This baked spaghetti dish is already vegetarian, but you can enhance it by adding more vegetables like zucchini or spinach. For a protein boost, consider adding cooked lentils or chickpeas to the mixture, keeping it aligned with popular vegetarian recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).