Description
This classic baked spaghetti recipe combines tender spaghetti noodles with a rich, homemade meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta, tangy Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this dish is easy to prepare and bakes to cheesy, saucy perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- ¾ lb. spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (can also use ground sausage or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 32 oz. marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz. Ricotta cheese (equal to 1 cup)
- 2 Tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Garnish
- Parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled spaghetti dish.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Sauté Vegetables and Season: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the browned meat, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauces and Cheeses: Pour in the marinara sauce, then add ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and allow everything to warm and combine thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the sauce mixture using kitchen tongs. Mix gently until well combined, noting that the pasta will be quite saucy before baking.
- Layer First Half: Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture evenly in the dish. Sprinkle half (2 cups) of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Layer Second Half: Add the remaining spaghetti mixture on top of the first layer, then evenly spread the remaining mozzarella cheese over it.
- Bake the Dish: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is hot, melted, and bubbling. Once baked, let it sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm, ideally with a side of garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- For serving on a later date: assemble the dish as directed but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 1 month.
- When ready to serve from refrigerated state, bake covered for 25-30 minutes at 375°F until heated through, uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes to melt and brown the cheese.
- Use ground turkey or sausage as a leaner or more flavorful protein alternative.
- Leftover baked spaghetti reheats well in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes baking plus 15 minutes stovetop cooking
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: baked spaghetti, spaghetti casserole, cheesy baked pasta, Italian comfort food, easy baked spaghetti
