Description
This Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food — layers of tender spaghetti, hearty meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or just enjoying a cozy family dinner. Easy to make and full of flavor, this baked spaghetti is guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion, cooking until beef is browned and onion is soft (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Mix well.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or sausage for a flavor twist.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce for extra nutrition.
- This casserole freezes well — freeze before baking or freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Serve with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: ~460 kcal
- Fat: ~22g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Protein: ~28g