Description
This comforting Baked Spaghetti recipe features tender spaghetti noodles mixed with a flavorful homemade meat sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection in the oven, it makes a satisfying family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- Kosher salt
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 c. finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Prep the oven and pasta: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13″ x 9″ baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics and beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef and Italian seasoning, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Pour the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chopped basil into the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to fully coat the noodles with the meat sauce. Transfer this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the pasta is warmed through, approximately 20 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the baked spaghetti from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free spaghetti to accommodate dietary preferences.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or cooked lentils.
- Make sure not to overcook the spaghetti initially since it will bake further in the oven.
