Meatless Spaghetti Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Meatless Spaghetti Casserole, a baked masterpiece that’s both vegetarian-friendly and irresistibly satisfying. Layers of tender spaghetti are coated in a rich marinara sauce enhanced with aromatic garlic, onions, Italian seasoning, and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. Creamy dollops of ricotta and generous layers of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese elevate every bite, giving it an indulgent, cheesy finish. Quick to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd, this casserole is oven-baked to perfection with a gooey, golden topping that’s sure to impress. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of flavor and color, this dish is ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or even make-ahead meals. Get ready to bring a slice of Italian-inspired comfort to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 4

Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with the marinara mixture. Stir until the spaghetti is well coated.

Step 6

Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over the layer, and then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 7

Add the remaining spaghetti mixture as a second layer. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 8

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2101.3 grams (2101.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2403

Total Fat 129.70g	166%
Saturated Fat 59.60g	298%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 351mg	117%
Sodium 5709mg	248%
Total Carbohydrate 184.30g	67%
Dietary Fiber 20.50g	73%
Total Sugars 35.40g
Protein 132.00g	264%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3284mg	253%
Iron 11mg	61%
Potassium 1613mg	34%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.0%

Protein: 21.7%

Carbs: 30.3%