The Ultimate Baked Alfredo Spaghetti: Creamy, Cheesy Perfection!

Baked Alfredo Spaghetti takes the classic comfort dish to a whole new level. Imagine tender spaghetti enveloped in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce, blanketed with melted mozzarella cheese, and baked to bubbly, golden perfection. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this baked Alfredo spaghetti is destined to become a family favorite.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Creamy, Dreamy Alfredo:** The homemade Alfredo sauce is the star of the show, made with real butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of garlic. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfectly coats the spaghetti.
* **Baked-In Flavor:** Baking the spaghetti allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. The cheese melts into the sauce, creating a gooey, delicious layer that’s irresistible.
* **Easy to Customize:** This recipe is a great base for adding your favorite ingredients. Toss in cooked chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or bacon for a heartier meal.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can assemble the spaghetti ahead of time and bake it later, making it perfect for entertaining.
* **Comfort Food Classic:** It’s a comforting, satisfying dish that everyone will love.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Spaghetti:** Use your favorite brand of spaghetti. I prefer regular spaghetti, but you can also use thin spaghetti or even fettuccine.
* **Butter:** Unsalted butter is preferred so you can control the amount of salt in the sauce.
* **Heavy Cream:** Heavy cream is essential for a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce. Don’t substitute with milk or half-and-half, as the sauce won’t be as thick or flavorful.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a must! Pre-grated Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting properly.
* **Garlic:** Fresh garlic adds a wonderful flavor to the sauce. Mince it finely or use a garlic press.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste.
* **Mozzarella Cheese:** Shredded mozzarella cheese is used to top the spaghetti before baking. You can use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella or whole-milk mozzarella.
* **Optional Add-Ins:** Cooked chicken, shrimp, bacon, vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms).

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Pot:** For cooking the spaghetti.
* **Large Skillet or Saucepan:** For making the Alfredo sauce.
* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** For baking the spaghetti.
* **Colander:** For draining the spaghetti.
* **Cheese Grater:** For grating the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
* **Garlic Press or Knife:** For mincing the garlic.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make the best baked Alfredo spaghetti:

**1. Cook the Spaghetti:**

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Al dente means that the spaghetti should be firm to the bite.
* Drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside. Do not rinse the spaghetti, as the starch helps the sauce adhere to it.

**2. Make the Alfredo Sauce:**

* While the spaghetti is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
* Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the cream simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
* Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it is melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

**3. Assemble the Spaghetti:**

* Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat evenly. If you’re using any add-ins (cooked chicken, shrimp, vegetables, etc.), add them now and toss to combine.
* Pour the spaghetti mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
* Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

**4. Bake the Spaghetti:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Bake the spaghetti for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.

**5. Serve:**

* Let the spaghetti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
* Serve hot and enjoy!

## Tips for the Best Baked Alfredo Spaghetti

* **Don’t Overcook the Spaghetti:** Overcooked spaghetti will be mushy and won’t hold its shape well. Cook the spaghetti al dente.
* **Use Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese:** Pre-grated Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting properly. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt smoothly and create a richer, more flavorful sauce.
* **Don’t Burn the Garlic:** Burnt garlic can make the sauce taste bitter. Cook the garlic over medium-low heat and watch it carefully.
* **Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking:** If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the heavy cream for a longer period of time. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of pasta water to the skillet.
* **Add a Pinch of Nutmeg:** A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the Alfredo sauce.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** The better the quality of your ingredients, the better the final dish will taste. Use real butter, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
* **Salt Your Pasta Water:** This is your chance to season the pasta itself. Use about a tablespoon of salt per gallon of water.

## Variations and Add-Ins

* **Chicken Alfredo:** Add cooked, diced chicken to the spaghetti before baking. You can use rotisserie chicken or bake your own chicken breasts.
* **Shrimp Alfredo:** Add cooked shrimp to the spaghetti before baking. Sauté the shrimp with garlic and butter for extra flavor.
* **Bacon Alfredo:** Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the spaghetti before baking. Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that complements the Alfredo sauce perfectly.
* **Vegetable Alfredo:** Add your favorite vegetables to the spaghetti before baking. Broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, and peas are all great options. Sauté the vegetables with garlic and butter before adding them to the spaghetti.
* **Spicy Alfredo:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
* **Smoked Gouda:** Substitute some of the mozzarella with smoked gouda for a deeper, smokier flavor.
* **Add Breadcrumbs:** Mix some panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top of the spaghetti before baking for a crispy topping.
* **Different Pasta Shapes:** While spaghetti is traditional, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even tortellini.

## Serving Suggestions

Baked Alfredo Spaghetti is delicious on its own, but it’s also great served with:

* **Garlic Bread:** For dipping into the creamy sauce.
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Such as asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Grilled Chicken or Fish:** For a heartier meal.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

You can assemble the baked Alfredo spaghetti ahead of time and bake it later. Simply prepare the spaghetti and Alfredo sauce as directed, then assemble the dish in the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven as directed and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the spaghetti is cold from the refrigerator.

## Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover baked Alfredo spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat leftover baked Alfredo spaghetti in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. To reheat in the microwave, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or cream to the spaghetti to keep it from drying out.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 600-800 per serving (depending on ingredients and serving size)
* Fat: 30-50g
* Protein: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 50-70g

## Baked Alfredo Spaghetti Recipe

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound spaghetti
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 3 cups heavy cream
* 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* Salt and black pepper to taste
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* Optional add-ins: Cooked chicken, shrimp, bacon, vegetables

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. While spaghetti is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat evenly. Add any optional add-ins and toss to combine.
8. Pour spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish.
9. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and top is lightly golden brown.
11. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
12. Serve hot and enjoy!

Enjoy this creamy, cheesy baked Alfredo spaghetti! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect comfort food dish.