Description
Creamy parmesan-loaded spaghetti alfredo delivers Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with luxurious simplicity. Rich pasta swirls promise pure indulgence you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Pasta and Cheese:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spaghetti noodles
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1 stick (113 grams) butter
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook spaghetti in rapidly boiling water until it reaches al dente texture. Extract and set aside 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining completely.
- Create the alfredo sauce by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then introduce cream and simmer until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and incorporate parmesan cheese until smoothly melted.
- Combine the cooked spaghetti with the prepared alfredo sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Transfer and evenly distribute the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish.
- In the same skillet, brown the Italian sausage and drain excess fat. Incorporate spaghetti sauce into the meat, creating a robust meat sauce.
- Distribute the meat sauce uniformly over the pasta layer. Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the top for a rich, melty finish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole becomes bubbly and the cheese melts completely. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for added freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose thicker pasta like rigatoni or ziti for a heartier texture that holds sauce better than spaghetti.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to create a lighter version without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prepare entire dish up to baking stage, cover with foil, and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Replace Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables for a meat-free alternative that maintains rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 724
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1022 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg