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Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake with Zesty Sauce & Crispy Bacon

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This Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake combines silky noodles, a tangy and zesty tomato sauce, creamy cheeses, and crispy bacon for the ultimate comfort food. It’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz spaghetti noodles, uncooked
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • Extra mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup) for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente (about 9-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and chop.
  4. In the same skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion until translucent (3-4 minutes), then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, paprika, and sugar. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring often.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, blend cottage cheese and ricotta until smooth. Stir in sour cream and eggs. Add 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix until combined.
  7. Add cooked spaghetti to the creamy mixture and toss gently to coat. Pour in the zesty sauce and mix until evenly distributed. If too dry, add 2-3 tbsp pasta water.
  8. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with extra mozzarella and scatter chopped bacon on top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown at the edges. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  10. Let cool for 5-7 minutes before slicing. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, slightly undercook the pasta so it stays firm after baking. Sprinkle bacon on top just before baking to keep it crispy. If you want a spicier bake, add more red pepper flakes. This recipe is flexible—swap cheeses, add veggies, or use gluten-free pasta as needed. Let the bake rest before slicing for cleaner portions.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti bake, southern casserole, creamy pasta, bacon, comfort food, family dinner, easy bake, cheesy spaghetti, potluck, zesty sauce

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/creamy-southern-spaghetti-bake-recipe-easy-zesty-sauce-and-bacon/