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Baked Spaghetti with Fresh Garden Produce

Transform your everyday pasta dinner with fresh basil, garlic, and cherry tomatoes from your own garden in this delicious baked spaghetti recipe.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1.5 lbs cherry tomatoes (fresh from your garden if possible)
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt, plus extra to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella (or vegan mozzarella)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional, for brightness)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Toss cherry tomatoes and garlic with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes until tomatoes are blistered and garlic is soft.
Cooking the Pasta
  1. While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti 1–2 minutes shy of al dente (9–11 minutes depending on pasta). Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the smashed roasted garlic for 30 seconds, add roasted tomatoes and juices, then pour in the tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar. Simmer for 8–10 minutes to meld flavors.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Toss drained pasta with the sauce and torn basil, adding 1/4 cup reserved pasta water if dry. Mix until glossy and well coated.
Baking
  1. Transfer half the pasta to an oven-safe baking dish, sprinkle half the mozzarella and Parmesan, add remaining pasta, and finish with the rest of the cheeses. Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbling; broil for 2–3 minutes for a golden top.

Notes

Use pre-cooked or leftover pasta to cut total time in half. Store leftovers in airtight containers and reheat for best flavor.