Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti is a hearty, comforting twist on traditional spaghetti — layered with rich meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and perfectly baked to golden perfection. It’s a crowd-pleasing casserole that’s easy to make ahead, ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce or pasta sauce
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (optional for texture)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Layers:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan for topping
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, then toss with butter, beaten eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
- Make sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add ground beef and onion, cooking until browned. Stir in garlic, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Assemble layers: Spread half the spaghetti mixture in the dish/ Top with half the meat sauce and spoonfuls of ricotta/ Add remaining spaghetti and sauce/ Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest & serve: Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with basil or parsley.
Notes
- Use half beef and half Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
- Make it creamy by mixing some cream cheese into the sauce.
- Great for meal prep — refrigerate overnight or freeze for later baking.
- Serve with garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.