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Comforting Cornbread Spaghetti

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A cozy and hearty dish combining the slight sweetness of cornbread baked on top of savory spaghetti sauce, perfect for warm, comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 28 oz (800 g) canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup (150 g) cornmeal, fine or medium grind
  • 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water if needed.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.
  3. Add canned crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water. Remove from heat.
  5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
  6. In a separate bowl, beat together milk, egg, and melted butter. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  8. Spread spaghetti and sauce mixture evenly into the baking dish.
  9. Pour cornbread batter over the spaghetti, spreading gently with a spatula to cover evenly.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cornbread topping is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  11. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow topping to firm up and soak some sauce.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta before baking to avoid mushiness. Simmer sauce gently to concentrate flavors. Mix cornbread batter lightly to keep topping tender. For extra crisp, broil last 2 minutes watching carefully. Can add cheese to cornbread batter or jalapeños for spice. Use gluten-free pasta and flour for gluten-free version. Dairy-free options include almond milk and coconut oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread spaghetti, comfort food, cozy dinner, easy dinner, baked spaghetti, cornbread topping, family meal

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/comforting-cornbread-spaghetti-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-ideas/