Delight of Delights ~ Baked Spaghetti and Mozzarella!

Last night while we were eating dinner I realized tomorrow is What's Cookin' Wednesday, boy do the weeks fly by.  I had everyone stop eating so that I could take a quick picture. 

This recipe comes from Martha Stewart Everyday Food.  It was everything we want in a recipe....home cooked, easy and fast, and tasted delightful.  Remember I was working on that website update and I still had time to cook dinner!  That doesn't usually happen.  So here it is.  Hope you enjoy!!

This is what it looked like in her magazine.  She didn't have the set designer I did!

Baked Spaghetti and Mozzarella

coarse salt
2 cans (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes (I used Dei Fratelli's)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
3/4 pound spaghetti
2 cups packed basil leaves ~ torn
3/4 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2 1/2 cups)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Set a large pot of salted water to boil.  In a food processor, pulse tomatoes until coarsely chopped.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add tomatoes and bring to a boil.  (I add a little coarse salt also)  Cook at a rapid simmer until sauce thickens, about 12 minutes.  Meanwhile, cook pasta 5 minutes (it will still be crunchy).  Drain pasta and return to pot.  Add tomato sauce, basil, and half the mozzarella and toss to combine.  Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish and top with remaining cheese.  Bake until cheese is golden and edges are bubbling ,about 25 minutes.