Creamy Basil Margherita Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in the basil and cook for another minute. Pour in the cream and simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Drain the spaghetti and return to the pot. Add the cream sauce and stir to combine.
6. Transfer the spaghetti to a baking dish. Top with the mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.
7. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve hot.

Interesting Facts

• The name “Margherita” in this dish is an homage to Queen Margherita of Savoy, who is said to have ordered this combination of ingredients for her pizza when she visited Naples in 1889.
• This dish is a great way to use up leftover spaghetti or any kind of pasta.
• This dish can easily be made vegan by substituting the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative and omitting the Parmesan cheese.