One-Pan Wonder: Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs for a Hassle-Free Feast
This recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights! It elevates the classic spaghetti and meatballs combo to a new level of ease and flavor, all in one pan. Imagine tender spaghetti noodles bathed in a vibrant marinara sauce, nestled around juicy pre-cooked meatballs, and then cloaked in a blanket of melty cheese. This dish is not only delicious but also comes together with minimal effort, making it a perfect solution for stress-free weeknight dinners.
Why This Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs is a Must-Try:
- Weeknight Dinner Hero: Short on time but craving comfort food? This recipe is your answer. It utilizes pre-cooked meatballs and a jar of marinara sauce, significantly reducing prep time without sacrificing flavor.
- One-Pan Magic: No need for a mountain of dirty dishes! Everything comes together in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
- Flavorful and Customizable: The vibrant marinara sauce gets a flavor boost from sautéed onions and garlic, while the melty cheese adds a delightful richness. Plus, you can personalize the cheese topping with your favorite varieties.
Ingredients for Your One-Pan Bake:
- The Flavorful Base:
- 1 ½ dozen pre-cooked meatballs (use your favorite recipe or store-bought for ultimate convenience)
- 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce (San Marzano sauce is recommended for its superior sweetness, but your favorite brand works too!)
- The Aromatic Boost:
- ½ yellow onion, diced - adds a touch of sweetness and depth
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed - infuses the dish with a fragrant garlicky note
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - a blend of classic Italian herbs for extra flavor
- The Binding Agent:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil - helps saute the onions and garlic
- The Pasta:
- ¾ cup dried spaghetti noodles
- The Cheesy Bliss:
- 1-2 cups grated cheese (customize with your favorites! Here are some suggestions: ½ cup Colby-Jack cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese - adds a salty and nutty complexity
Step-by-Step Guide to Your One-Pan Wonder:
- Sautéing for Sweetness: In a large cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. This step allows the onions to caramelize and release their natural sweetness. Now, stir in the crushed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant – be sure not to burn the garlic!
- Building the Bake: Add the pre-cooked meatballs, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning to the skillet with the softened onions and garlic. Give it a good stir to ensure everything is well combined.
- Simmering Symphony of Flavors: Let the mixture simmer over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld and meld beautifully, creating a richer and more complex sauce.
- Cooking the Spaghetti Perfectly: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti noodles according to package directions in a separate large pot of boiling water. Here's a clever tip: undercook the spaghetti by about 2 minutes, as it will continue to cook in the baking dish, ensuring perfectly al dente noodles.
- Transferring the Noodles: Drain the cooked spaghetti noodles and use a large slotted spoon to transfer them directly into the skillet with the marinara sauce and meatballs.
- The Magic of Pasta Water: Reserve some of that starchy pasta cooking water! Add about ½ cup of it to the skillet. This magic ingredient helps create a smoother and more flavorful sauce that will cling perfectly to the noodles, preventing a dry and lackluster dish.
- Coating the Goodness: Gently stir the spaghetti into the marinara sauce, making sure all the noodles are well coated in that delicious sauce.
- Preheat for the Cheesy Finale: While the pasta simmers in the sauce, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get ready for the cheesy magic to happen!
- The Cheesy Grand Finale: In a separate bowl, combine your grated cheeses – Colby-Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Sprinkle this cheesy mixture evenly over the top of the spaghetti and meatballs in the skillet.
- Baking to Golden Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and a beautiful golden brown on top. The aroma wafting from your oven will be pure comfort food bliss!
- Serve and enjoy your delicious one-pan baked spaghetti and meatballs!
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