Chicken Spaghetti With Red Sauce Casserole
Chicken spaghetti with red sauce casserole is a perfect meal for busy weeknights or for serving a crowd. This recipe is a delicious combination of pasta, chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese. It's easy to prepare and requires only a few ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. This article will guide you through the steps to make this mouth-watering casserole that is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
The ingredients you'll need for this recipe include:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let's start preparing the dish:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it and return it to the pot. Add the shredded chicken and tomato sauce mixture to the pot and stir well.
- Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top. Pour the remaining spaghetti mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake the casserole for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Variations
This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your liking. Here are some variations:
- Use ground beef or turkey instead of chicken.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce.
- Use different types of pasta like penne or rigatoni.
- Make it spicy by adding chili flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.
- Top it with breadcrumbs for a crispy texture.
Conclusion
Chicken spaghetti with red sauce casserole is a comforting and satisfying meal that everyone will love. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or for serving a crowd. Try it today and enjoy a delicious and hearty meal!
