Description
This Easy Baked Spaghetti recipe combines perfectly cooked pasta with flavorful ground beef, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for a comforting family meal, it’s straightforward to prepare and yields a satisfying dish that’s great for leftovers or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound uncooked spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and position the rack in the top third of the oven to prepare for baking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate. Drain the pasta and transfer it into a 9×13-inch casserole or baking dish.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, chopped onion, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. If the beef is very lean, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Add Garlic and Marinara: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes until warmed through.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the meat sauce over the cooked spaghetti in the casserole dish. Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce. Smooth the mixture into an even layer.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Top the spaghetti evenly with shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and grated parmesan cheeses. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheeses are melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Cut into squares with a spatula. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- The recipe serves 8 people depending on appetite.
- For a shortcut, use 2 cups of a pre-shredded blend of mozzarella and cheddar instead of grating your own, although freshly grated cheese yields better flavor.
- 4 cups marinara sauce equals approximately 32 ounces, so using one 24-ounce jar plus some from a second jar works well.
- Be careful when broiling the cheese to avoid burning it—watch it closely.
- Allow the dish to rest after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
