Bushra Griffith
Spaghetti with mozzarella cheese is a delicious and easy meal to make. While there are many ways to make this dish, most recipes involve layering cooked spaghetti with tomato sauce, basil, and mozzarella cheese, and then baking it in the oven until the cheese is melted and browned. Some recipes call for additional ingredients such as beef, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and various types of cheese like Parmesan, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese. The beauty of this dish is that it can be customized to your liking, making it a fun and versatile option for a weeknight dinner.
How to cook spaghetti with mozzarella cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Baked |
| Ingredients | Spaghetti, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, basil, beef, onion, eggs, butter, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic |
| Preparation | Boil spaghetti, cook beef and onion, whisk eggs, butter and parmesan, layer ingredients in a baking dish, bake |
| Cooking time | 40 minutes covered, then 20-25 minutes uncovered |
| Serving suggestion | Serve with a green salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
To cook spaghetti with mozzarella cheese, you will need the following ingredients: spaghetti, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and basil. You can also add other ingredients such as beef, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.
Start by gathering and preparing all the ingredients. Chop the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. You can do this by hand or use a food processor. If you are adding meat to your sauce, cook the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through, which should take about 6-8 minutes. Add the chopped vegetables to the pot and cook for another 12 minutes over medium heat until they are lightly browned and tender.
Next, add the tomato sauce to the pot and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, usually around 8-9 minutes or until slightly crunchy. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside. If you are using Parmesan cheese, you can whisk it together with eggs and butter in a separate bowl, and then toss the cooked spaghetti in this mixture.
Now you are ready to assemble your spaghetti with mozzarella cheese. There are a few different methods you can use to add the mozzarella cheese to your spaghetti. You can sprinkle grated or shredded mozzarella cheese over the spaghetti, or you can tear it into small pieces and add it a little at a time, tossing it with the hot pasta to melt it. You can also layer the spaghetti with mozzarella cheese in a baking dish and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted.
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Cooking the spaghetti
First, you'll need to boil your spaghetti. Add the spaghetti to a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 8-9 minutes, or until just slightly crunchy. Be sure not to overcook it, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Once it's ready, drain the water.
Some recipes suggest tossing the cooked spaghetti with butter, herbs, and seasonings before adding the sauce. You can also add eggs and Parmesan to the mix. This step is optional but adds richness and flavour to the dish.
Next, you'll need to prepare your sauce. You can make a meat sauce by cooking ground beef and onions in a skillet until the meat is browned and the onions are soft and translucent. Drain the excess oil, and add your spaghetti sauce and seasonings. Alternatively, you can use a jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce to save time.
Now it's time to assemble your dish. Place your cooked noodles in a baking dish or individual oven-safe plates/dishes. Cover the noodles generously with your chosen spaghetti sauce. Make sure the pasta is completely covered to prevent it from drying out during baking.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce. You can also add other types of cheese, such as cottage cheese or ricotta, for extra creaminess. Finally, generously spread shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
Place your dish in the middle of the oven and broil for about 15 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. The baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your dish, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
Once it's ready, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your cheesy spaghetti!
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Adding the sauce
Firstly, prepare your cooked spaghetti noodles by placing them in a baking dish or individual serving dishes. It is important to ensure that the dish is oven-safe if you plan to use an oven for baking. You can use a 13 x 9 baking pan or individual oven-safe dinner plates, depending on your preference and serving style.
The next step is to generously cover the noodles with your chosen spaghetti sauce. It is important to completely cover the pasta to prevent it from drying out during the baking process. You can use a store-bought jar of spaghetti sauce or make your own crockpot spaghetti sauce by simmering the ingredients throughout the day.
Once the noodles are coated in sauce, it's time to add the cheese! Sprinkle a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce. This step adds a layer of flavour and texture to the dish. You can also experiment with other hard cheeses, such as grana padano, if you want to explore different flavours.
Now, for the star of the show—the mozzarella cheese! Generously spread shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. The amount of mozzarella you use can vary depending on your taste preferences and the size of your dish. Remember that mozzarella melts and browns slightly, so don't be afraid to add a generous amount.
Finally, follow the baking instructions provided in the recipe you are following. Different recipes may have slightly different baking temperatures and durations, so refer to your chosen recipe for specific instructions. Enjoy your delicious spaghetti with mozzarella cheese!
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Adding mozzarella cheese
There are several ways to add mozzarella cheese to your spaghetti. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect cheesy spaghetti:
Baking the Spaghetti:
This is a popular method for adding mozzarella to spaghetti. Here are the steps:
- Cook the spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water until it is al dente or slightly crunchy. Drain the water and set the spaghetti aside.
- Prepare the sauce: While the spaghetti is cooking, you can prepare your sauce. This could be a simple tomato sauce with basil, or you can make a meat sauce by cooking ground beef, onions, and other vegetables.
- Layer the ingredients: In a baking dish, start by spreading a layer of cooked spaghetti. Then, sprinkle shredded or grated mozzarella cheese generously over the spaghetti. You can also add other cheeses like Parmesan or cottage cheese.
- Repeat the layers: Add another layer of spaghetti and top it with more mozzarella. You can also add other ingredients like cooked Italian sausage or meatballs at this point.
- Bake the spaghetti: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15 to 25 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the amount of spaghetti you are cooking.
- Check for doneness: Keep an eye on the spaghetti as it bakes. You want the cheese to be melted and lightly browned. The spaghetti should be hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Garnish and serve: Once the cheese is melted and browned, remove the spaghetti from the oven. You can garnish it with fresh herbs like basil or Italian seasoning. Serve the spaghetti while it's still hot and enjoy the gooey, cheesy goodness!
Adding Mozzarella After Cooking:
If you don't want to bake the spaghetti, you can also add mozzarella after cooking. Here's how:
- Prepare the spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain the water and return the spaghetti to the pot or pan.
- Add sauce and other ingredients: Toss the cooked spaghetti with your favourite sauce, butter, herbs, and any other desired ingredients. You can also add other cheeses like Parmesan at this stage.
- Add mozzarella: Cut, shred, or tear the mozzarella into small pieces. Add the mozzarella to the hot spaghetti, a little at a time, and toss it gently. The heat from the spaghetti will gently melt the mozzarella.
- Serve immediately: Serve the spaghetti immediately while it's still hot and the cheese is melted. You can also sprinkle some mozzarella on top of the plated spaghetti for an extra cheesy touch.
Feel free to adjust the amount of mozzarella to your taste and get creative with additional ingredients!
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Baking the dish
To bake spaghetti with mozzarella cheese, start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions until it is slightly crunchy. Drain the water from the cooked spaghetti and place the noodles in a 13 x 9 baking dish or on oven-safe dinner plates.
Cover the noodles with spaghetti sauce, ensuring that all the noodles are coated to prevent them from drying out during baking. You can also add other ingredients to the sauce, such as cooked beef and onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, or Italian seasoning.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce, followed by a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. You can also add other types of cheese, such as cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, for extra creaminess.
Place the baking dish in the middle of the oven and broil for approximately 15 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Keep a close eye on the dish to ensure it doesn't burn.
Once the dish is baked to your liking, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. You can garnish it with fresh herbs like basil or chopped Italian parsley for added flavour and colour. Enjoy your delicious and cheesy baked spaghetti!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cook spaghetti with mozzarella cheese. You can either add shredded mozzarella to your cooked spaghetti along with your sauce, butter, herbs, etc. You can also bake your cooked spaghetti with a layer of sauce and mozzarella on top in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350°F.
You should add mozzarella to your spaghetti after it is cooked. If you are adding it to the whole dish, you can add it at the end when the pasta is still hot. If you are adding mozzarella to your own bowl, you can add it after plating and either melt it in the microwave or stir it in.
You can add several other ingredients to spaghetti with mozzarella cheese, including Parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, ground beef, onion, eggs, butter, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, and basil.
