Description
This Baked Spaghetti is a comforting family favorite that combines al dente pasta with a savory ground beef marinara sauce, layered generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping, this hearty Italian-American dish is easy to make and loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese Mixture
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the spaghetti casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up and cooking until browned through. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from being greasy.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors thoroughly.
- Combine Eggs and Parmesan: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Toss this mixture with the cooked spaghetti to coat every strand evenly.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers with the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and mozzarella.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to set. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef for a different flavor profile.
- Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce to increase vegetable content and add extra nutrients.
- This dish stores well in the refrigerator and is perfect for meal prep—simply reheat portions in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
