Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti)
Do you love Baked Spaghetti or so called, Million Dollar Spaghetti? Then you have to try our Baked Long Fusilli Casserole -it is our beloved “baked spaghetti” casserole, only it is easier! This one is made with Italian tomato sauce, long curly strands of fusilli pasta, and melted-gooey cheeses. So yummy, it makes a cozy and satisfying meal on those busy weeknights when you need one!
Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti)
Baked Long Fusilli Casserole is comfort food at its best, and different than a lasagna, only it’s easier! The noodles are layered with our mom’s marinara sauce, and topped with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Then it’s baked until the cheeses are melted, and it is heated thoroughly.
Unlike the Million Dollar Spaghetti or other Baked Spaghetti casseroles, this one is meatless! But loaded with delicious textures and flavors and gooey cheese.
Best of all? It is deliciously creamy inside and has a fun curly noodle that surprises everyone after their first bite!
If you LOVE baked spaghetti? Then you’ll fall in love with this recipe!
What is Fusilli Pasta?
Fusilli pasta is a long, curly strand of pasta, and it is usually sold in imported Italian gourmet stores. Fusilli pasta is not a pasta commonly found in every supermarket, but you can sometimes find it in the Home Goods gourmet section, Whole Foods, Italian shops, and Amazon.
How To Make Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti)?
With a few easy steps and a handful of ingredients, we’ll show you how to make this easy-baked long fusilli casserole right in your kitchen!
So let’s get started!
Overview: Ingredients You Will Need:
For our baked long fusilli casserole recipe, you will need 5 main ingredients, plus a large casserole dish to put it all together.
- Tomato Sauce – We prefer marinara sauce with this recipe. If you need a recipe, try our mom’s quick marinara sauce, it’s fresh tasting. And, you will need about 4 cups of already prepared tomato sauce, and maybe extra – if needed.
- Pasta – For this recipe, you will only need one package (16 ounces) of long fusilli pasta. It’s a thicker strands of curly spaghetti, and everyone loves the texture. You can use other pasta, like spaghetti (see our notes below).
- Ricotta – Ricotta cheese adds a lot of richness to this casserole. You will need only 1 large container of part-skim (or whole-milk) ricotta cheese.
- Grated Cheese – We prefer to use good quality grated parmesan cheese, and you will need about 1/2 cup.
- Mozzarella – Choose a package of shredded mozzarella, and about 2 cups will suffice.
- Baking Dish – You will need one 9 x 13 baking dish, which is perfect size for this recipe.
Quick Recipe Tips:
- The Ricotta: We prefer to use whole milk ricotta with this recipe, simply because it tastes better and it will “melt” more smoothly. But part-skim ricotta will work just fine (which is what I had on hand).
- The Tomato Sauce: Plus, fresh-tasting tomato sauce is the key to making this pasta dish taste even more delicious! And, we prefer to use our Mom’s Quick Marinara Sauce for this easy recipe! So make a big batch!
- Use Hearty Tomato Sauce: With this recipe, you can also make it with a hearty sauce, like a classic bolognese or our authentic Italian tomato sauce (family recipe) and pork ragu.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is baked in less than 30 minutes, helps me put dinner on the table in a snap!
Directions to Make this Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti):
If this is your first time making this baked spaghetti casserole, no worries, it is relatively easy. Plus, our full recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, let’s go run through the steps so you can understand what’s involved before you begin:
- Step 1: Cook the pasta: First, bring a pot of water to a full boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. When water comes to a full boil, toss in the fusilli pasta and gently stir it. Cook the pasta until al-dente (tender to the bite).
- Step 2: Heat up the sauce: Meanwhile, heat some marinara sauce (about 4 cups) on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s very hot.
- Step 3: Spoon the 1st layer: Next, using a large ladle, spread on the bottom of your 9 x 13 pyrex baking casserole dish a layer of tomato sauce, about 1 + 1/2 cups.
Step 4: Transfer the pasta: Once the fusilli pasta is cooked and drained, immediately transfer into the casserole dish, over the layer of tomato sauce. Use a fork to help spread the fusilli pasta evenly. QUICK NOTE: The curly pasta will start to absorb the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. So you can add additional tomato sauce, if you prefer.Step 5: Add the ricotta cheese: Begin to add a few spoonful of ricotta cheese, and spread it (the best you can) with the back of the spoon. Don’t worry if it’s not spread evenly – it will melt while baking.
6. Step 6: Add additional sauce: Next, spoon the remaining marinara sauce on top and spread it evenly using the back of the spoon. Make sure the layer of tomato sauce covers the curly pasta entirely. Then sprinkle with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese on top.- Step 7: Top with cheeses: Finally, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella on top.
- Final Step: BAKE! Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil and BAKE in a preheated oven at 375 F, for about 20 to 25 minutes. Next, remove the cover and continue to bake for additional 5 minutes until the cheese on top is completely melted.
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Step 4: Transfer the pasta: Once the fusilli pasta is cooked and drained,
9. Allow it to rest: Set it aside for a few minutes before cutting. Cut into squares and serve it like a lasagna. Quick Note: *Keep in mind that baking times will vary depending on the brand and the age of the oven you use.
Serves 9
What to Serve with Baked Fusilli Casserole (baked spaghetti)?
Our baked pasta casserole is wonderful served alone with a simple salad on the side. But if you want some veggies on the side, then here are a few additional options you can serve it with:
FAQ’s
- Can we make this recipe with a different tomato sauce? Yes, you can use your favorite tomato sauce! Try this recipe with a hearty bolognese sauce, or any leftover or our 8 recipes for Sunday sauces you prefer.
- Can we use jarred tomato sauce? Yes, you can, and you can use Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce, it is the one of the best-tasting sauce for a jarred brand.
- How to store leftovers? Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- What if we cannot find fusilli pasta? Can we use a different pasta? Yes, you can use spaghetti noodles, imported linguine, and fettucine noodles with this recipe. The “pasta-bilities” are endless!
- Can we make it ahead? Yes, you can prepare this casserole, let is cool completely (do not bake it), and cover it with aluminum foil. Place it into your fridge, overnight. You can make it one day before. Bake it for dinner the next day, but keep in mind, you will need additional baking time (about 1 hour) to heat it all the way through.
- Can we freeze this casserole? Yes, like most casseroles, you can freeze before baking, or after it’s baked. Just be sure the casserole is completely cooled before covering it with a sheet of aluminum foil and freezing.
- How long can we freeze this casserole? This baked spaghetti can be kept frozen for up to 1 month.
- If frozen, how to thaw? Very easy to thaw. Just leave it overnight in the fridge, then take it out in the morning to fully thaw in time for dinner.
A Delicious Meal!
Easy Baked Long Fusilli Casserole makes the perfect meal and one the whole family will enjoy! This is an easy and delicious casserole to serve your family and friends. The kids will love the curly pasta texture along with the creaminess from the melted ricotta and melted cheese on top. So yummy!
Try this recipe!
ENJOY!!
More Delicious Baked Casseroles!
- Easy Meat Lasagna with No-Boil Noodles
- Tagliatella Nests with Burrata
- BEST Zucchini Lasagna without Noodles
- Homemade Lasagne with Vegetables
- Pasta Alla Nonna
- BEST Rice Ball Casserole Stuffed with Meat and Peas
- Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Caramelized Onions
Hello Friends! Are you cooking and baking with us? If you try our baked long fusilli casserole recipe, let us know and leave a comment on the bottom and don’t forget the stars! We’d love to hear from you! 🙂
Easy Baked Long Fusilli Casserole (Baked Spaghetti)
Easy Baked Long Fusilli Casserole is similar to everyone's baked spaghetti only it is made with a long curly pasta called fusilli. It's easy and most delicious casserole. Mixed with marinara sauce, ricotta, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella, and baked until the cheeses are melted on top. An easy meal for those busy weeknights when you need one!
Ingredients
- 1 pound long fusilli pasta
- 4 cups prepared tomato sauce - divided ( I used marinara sauce)
- 6 to 7 heaping spoonfuls of ricotta cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella
- One 9 x 13 baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to Bake at 375 degrees F (190C).
- First, cook the fusilli pasta in a large pot of boiling water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Cook the pasta to an al-dente texture, or when it is tender to the bite. Then, drain the pasta in a colander.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat tomato sauce on the stovetop until very hot. Spread 1 + 1/2 cups of prepared tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 X 12 baking dish ( 3 quarts or 2.8 L). Set it aside.
- NEXT, immediately transfer the fusilli pasta into the baking dish and use a fork to help spread the curly pasta into an even layer. NOTE: If you prefer, you can add additional tomato sauce on top.
- Grab some spoonful (about 6) of ricotta cheese and place them on top of the pasta while it's still steaming hot. Using the back of your spoon, spread the ricotta cheese over the pasta. Do not worry, it doesn't have to be perfect, since the ricotta cheese will melt and will even out through this casserole while baking.
- Then pour the remaining sauce on top and spread it to cover the entire surface of the fusilli pasta.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, and then with shredded mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil wrap. Here is where you can refrigerate it if you make it ahead. Or until you are ready to bake it. However, you will need more baking time to heat this casserole thoroughly.
- BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil cover and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the mozzarella is completely melted on top and bubbling around the sides. The casserole should be thoroughly heated when it's steaming from the center and sides.
- Remove the casserole from the oven. Set aside on the stove for 5 minutes before cutting. You can garnish with freshly chopped parsleu. Cut into individual servings and serve. Serve warm.
- Yields: 9 servings.
Notes
If you make it ahead and refrigerate this casserole, you will need to leave it out on the counter to warm up to room temperature, for at least one hour.
Plus, you will need to bake it for more time, about 45 to 55 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the casserole is heated thoroughly.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 servings Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 348Total Fat: 8.8gCarbohydrates: 48.6gFiber: 1.8gSugar: 5.5gProtein: 18.6g
Happy Baking! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by…
xo anna and liz
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Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!
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Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!
Would you believe that in all my years of cooking pasta, I’ve never used long fusilli pasta. I thought it would be difficult to eat because of the shape. Like your idea.
Oh my goodness, that is so funny Karen! But you will be so surprise using it in this recipe. Fusilli pasta is a delicate pasta and it breaks up easily when cooked. But I find it works perfectly in this casserole, making it easy to cut into portions, and fun for the whole family to enjoy. I hope you will give it a try! Have a great rest of your week! 🙂