Baked Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves pasta and cheesy casseroles. With its hearty layers of tender spaghetti, seasoned ground beef, tangy marinara, and three kinds of irresistible cheese, this family favorite is as delicious as it is satisfying. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or bringing it to a potluck, you’ll find yourself hoping for leftovers just so you can savor it again tomorrow!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Baked Spaghetti lies in how a handful of everyday ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each one plays an important role: flavor, texture, gooeyness, or that classic golden top everyone fights over!
- Spaghetti: The classic foundation for this dish; make sure to cook it al dente so it holds up well in baking.
- Olive oil: Just a bit helps brown the beef and onion, drawing out their flavors and aromas.
- Ground beef: The hearty protein that turns this pasta into a main course superstar.
- Onion: A small onion infuses the meat sauce with lovely sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Two cloves are just right for aromatic, unmistakable Italian flair.
- Italian seasoning: A mix of fragrant herbs to bring everything together and echo classic Italian taste.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning every layer so the flavors truly pop.
- Black pepper: A little goes a long way to add warmth and subtle bite.
- Marinara sauce: A good-quality jar of this is your shortcut to rich tomato flavor—just pick your favorite brand.
- Eggs: These bind the pasta and cheese, giving you neat, sliceable squares of baked spaghetti.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty complexity both within the pasta mix and as a final flourish.
- Mozzarella cheese: That bubbly, melt-stretch magic atop every memorable baked spaghetti casserole.
- Ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese): Dollops of this make the layers creamy and luscious—use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A sprinkle adds bright color and a fresh, herby finish right before serving.
How to Make Baked Spaghetti
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Gather and measure everything before you begin—it makes the assembly so much smoother. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 375°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
Boil a large pot of salted water, then cook your spaghetti noodles until they’re beautifully al dente (that means still a bit firm in the center). Drain the pasta well and set it aside; this ensures it doesn’t get mushy in the oven.
Step 3: Make the Meat Sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onions, stirring and breaking up the meat until it’s nicely browned and the onion is tender—this will take about 6 to 8 minutes. Toss in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and let them cook for a minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir well, and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to marry all the flavors.
Step 4: Mix the Spaghetti Base
In a big mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add your cooked spaghetti and give it all a good toss to coat the noodles with that rich, cheesy egg wash—this is the secret to baked spaghetti slices that hold their shape.
Step 5: Layer the Baked Spaghetti
Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it with a little oil or nonstick spray. Layer half of the cheesy spaghetti mixture on the bottom, cover with half the meat sauce, then dollop with half the ricotta or cottage cheese. Finish the layer with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat all the layers with the remaining ingredients, making sure the top gets plenty of mozzarella for the best cheesy crust.
Step 6: Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and return it to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until it’s bubbling, toasty, and golden on top. Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 to 10 minutes out of the oven—this not only keeps you from burning your tongue but also gives the casserole time to set up for easy slicing!
How to Serve Baked Spaghetti
Garnishes
Sprinkle plenty of fresh chopped parsley over the top right before serving for a pop of color and fresh aroma. If you’re feeling a little extra, a dusting of additional Parmesan or some red pepper flakes for heat makes every slice even more tempting.
Side Dishes
Nothing completes baked spaghetti like warm garlic bread to scoop up every last bit of sauce. Add a big green salad tossed with Italian vinaigrette, or a plate of roasted vegetables for a full meal that balances out the cheesy main event.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to dress things up, try serving baked spaghetti in individual ramekins for personal-size portions, or cut the casserole into neat squares and stack them restaurant-style on a plate. For gatherings, bring it to the table straight from the oven in your prettiest baking dish—it just invites everyone to dig in family-style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover baked spaghetti keeps beautifully! Cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors seem to get even better overnight, making it a fantastic next-day lunch or quick dinner.
Freezing
If you want to freeze a whole baked spaghetti for later, assemble as directed but stop before baking; wrap it tightly in layers of foil and plastic wrap. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual. You can also freeze fully cooked slices to reheat for fast single servings.
Reheating
For reheating, pop a covered baking dish of leftovers in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20–25 minutes). Smaller portions can be microwaved on medium power until hot, but a quick stint in the oven keeps the cheesy top nice and melty.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Ground Italian sausage, turkey, or even a meatless crumble work well if you’re looking to try something new or need to adapt for dietary reasons. The seasonings and sauce tie everything together.
What’s the best way to prevent baked spaghetti from drying out?
Be sure not to overcook your noodles before baking, and keep the casserole covered with foil for the first part of baking to lock in moisture. Using enough sauce is also key to creating a luscious end result.
Can I assemble baked spaghetti ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the entire dish earlier in the day, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add an extra 5–10 minutes to the oven time if cooking it straight from the fridge.
How do I make this baked spaghetti vegetarian?
Just skip the ground beef and sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil, then add chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce for a hearty and satisfying vegetarian version.
Is cottage cheese or ricotta better for baked spaghetti?
Both are delicious; ricotta creates a classic creamy layer, while cottage cheese is lighter with a slight tang. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand—either will taste wonderful!
Final Thoughts
Baked Spaghetti isn’t just a meal; it’s a way to bring family, friends, and big appetites together. I hope you’ll try this recipe and find yourself reaching for it again and again—just wait until you smell it bubbling in the oven!
Print
Baked Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and satisfying pasta dish that combines tender spaghetti, flavorful meat sauce, and a cheesy topping. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or gathering, this baked spaghetti recipe is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion, cook until beef is browned and onion is soft. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk eggs and stir in Parmesan cheese. Add cooked spaghetti and toss to coat.
- Layer and Bake: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture, meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. Let rest before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Use ground Italian sausage for added flavor, or swap ricotta with cream cheese for a creamier texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
