Description
Easy Baked Spaghetti is a family-friendly dinner that combines tender noodles, hearty meat sauce, and gooey cheese in a sliceable casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook spaghetti 1-2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook briefly. Add ground beef, break apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a mixing bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, half of the meat sauce, ricotta (if using), half of the mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix well.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture, then some sauce and cheese. Repeat for a second layer. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispy top.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Baked Spaghetti, Pasta, Casserole, Family Dinner