The Best Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering easy baked spaghetti that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Layers of perfectly cooked pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese create a symphony of flavors in every bite.

The golden-brown top hints at the deliciousness waiting beneath the surface.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

Home cooks adore how quickly this meal comes together without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

Each forkful delivers a comforting blend of classic Italian-inspired ingredients that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This recipe transforms ordinary spaghetti into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.

Reasons to Love This Easy Baked Spaghetti

• Simple, Satisfying Spaghetti Casserole Delight
• Swap ground beef for turkey, add vegetables, or adjust spice levels to match your family's taste preferences. This recipe offers incredible flexibility for personalized dining experiences.
• Minimal dishes, straightforward preparation, and minimal cleanup make this spaghetti bake a weeknight champion. Everything comes together in a single baking dish, saving precious time and energy.
• Kids and adults alike will devour this cheesy, hearty meal. The combination of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese creates an irresistible comfort food that sparks joy around the dinner table.
• Perfect for potlucks, casual gatherings, or feeding a hungry crew. Prepare ahead, pop in the oven, and watch everyone dig in with enthusiasm. No complicated techniques required, just pure deliciousness.

Ingredients for a Flavor-Packed Spaghetti Bake

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that serves as the hearty base of this comforting casserole.
• Ground Beef: Provides rich protein and deep flavor to the dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato sauce that adds moisture and tangy taste to the baked spaghetti.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Create a golden, melty topping that adds creamy richness and beautiful color to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational savory flavor profile to the meat sauce.
• Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes: Add depth and subtle heat to enhance the overall taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and brighten the flavors.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright finishing touch to the baked spaghetti.

How to Bake Spaghetti the Easy Way

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Crank up your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the top third.

This placement ensures a perfectly golden-brown cheesy masterpiece.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil water in a large pot with a generous sprinkle of salt.

Drop in the spaghetti and cook it slightly underdone – about 2 minutes less than the package recommends.

Drain and transfer to a 9×13 baking dish.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

Fire up a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Chopped onion
• Oregano
• Red pepper flakes

Stir and break up the meat as it cooks.

You’re looking for a beautiful brown color and soft onions (about 10 minutes).

If there’s excess fat, drain some but keep a touch for extra flavor.

Step 4: Enhance with Garlic

Sprinkle in minced garlic and cook for a minute until it becomes wonderfully fragrant.

Pour in marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer to marry the flavors.

Step 5: Create the Casserole Base

Drizzle the beef sauce over the spaghetti.

Use tongs to coat every strand evenly, creating a delicious base layer in the baking dish.

Step 6: Cheese It Up

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Parmesan

Cover the entire surface for that irresistible golden-brown top everyone craves.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy cheese crust.

Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes.

This helps it set and makes cutting into neat squares a breeze.

Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Tips for a Better Baked Spaghetti Dish

• Cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package instructions to ensure perfect texture when baked, allowing it to finish cooking in the sauce without becoming soggy.
• When browning beef, leave a small amount of fat for extra flavor, but remove excess to keep the dish from becoming greasy and heavy.
• Sprinkle a mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan evenly across the dish, then broil briefly to achieve that irresistible golden-brown crust that everyone craves.
• Keep a close eye during the final 2-3 minutes of broiling to prevent burning, as broilers can quickly transform a perfect dish into a charred mess.
• Allow the baked spaghetti to sit for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the casserole set and makes cutting into neat squares much easier.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Baked Spaghetti

• Store leftover baked spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the dish is completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Will maintain quality for up to 2 months when properly stored.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place spaghetti in a baking dish, add a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, removing foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.

What to Pair with This Spaghetti Casserole

• Pair Perfectly with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Italian Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty tomato sauce and cuts through the cheesy layers with its tangy acidity.
• Create Fresh Garden Side Salad: Toss crisp mixed greens with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a light balsamic vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta dish and add refreshing contrast.
• Serve Warm Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty Italian bread brushed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture alongside the soft, cheesy spaghetti casserole.
• Enhance with Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to brighten the dish's flavor profile and add a pop of fresh green color.

Baked Spaghetti Variations You Can Try

• Vegetarian Spaghetti Bake: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a hearty, meat-free version. Use vegetable marinara sauce and choose vegetarian-friendly cheeses.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta. Reduce marinara sauce quantity and increase protein content with extra ground meat or additional cheese topping.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Remix: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add chopped kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano. Use a lighter marinara sauce with a hint of olive oil to create a Greek-style flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with other pasta like penne, rotini, or fettuccine. Just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure the pasta is al dente.

• Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives like crumbled tofu, lentils, or vegetarian meat substitutes. The recipe will still be delicious.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add extra red pepper flakes, include diced jalapeños while browning the meat, or use a spicy marinara sauce. These options will increase the heat level without changing the core recipe.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate. When ready to cook, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through completely.

Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Saucy and satisfying, this easy baked spaghetti recipe brings comfort straight from Italian kitchens to your dinner table. Layers of melted cheese, hearty meat sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
• 4 cups marinara sauce

Cheese:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 375°F, positioning rack in top third to ensure perfect golden-brown cheese topping.
2. Cook spaghetti in salted water, removing 2 minutes before package instructions to prevent overcooking. Drain and transfer to 9×13 baking dish.
3. In large skillet over medium-high heat, combine ground beef, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 10 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles and softening onions. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour marinara sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer briefly to meld flavors.
5. Pour meat sauce over spaghetti, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coating. Spread evenly in baking dish.
6. Distribute mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheese uniformly across the surface, creating a rich, melty layer.
7. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve perfect cheese browning without burning.
8. Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes, enabling it to set and slice cleanly. Optional: garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Undercook pasta intentionally to prevent mushiness and allow perfect sauce absorption during baking.
• Drain excess beef fat for healthier version, but keep a small amount for rich flavor development.
• Choose high-quality marinara sauce or make homemade for enhanced taste complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 575
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 840 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg