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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare oven at 375°F, positioning rack in top third to ensure perfect golden-brown cheese topping.
- Cook spaghetti in salted water, removing 2 minutes before package instructions to prevent overcooking. Drain and transfer to 9×13 baking dish.
- 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.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour marinara sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Pour meat sauce over spaghetti, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coating. Spread evenly in baking dish.
- Distribute mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheese uniformly across the surface, creating a rich, melty layer.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve perfect cheese browning without burning.
- 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