Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Are you ready for spaghetti? But not just any spaghetti – Baked Spaghetti. Destined to become a family favorite, this Baked Spaghetti Casserole is loaded with savory meaty sauce, cheesy ricotta, tender pasta and topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

I love spaghetti. I’ve always been a big fan, but with three types of cheese (parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella) and how the noodles soak up the sauce, this is a whole ‘nother level of spaghetti goodness.

Baked Spaghetti Yumminess

Baked Spaghetti Casserole is kind of like making a lasagna, but with a lot less effort. Plus there’s no complicated cooking tricks and simple ingredients that you may have readily available.

Baking times may vary a bit on this, but you want to the spaghetti to become a little bubbly and for the cheese across the top to brown.

After baking for about 30 minutes and letting it cool down for about 10 – 15 minutes, you’re ready for dinner. Serve with a salad and rolls for a pretty easy family meal.

Tips & Tricks

While the dish bakes, the pasta absorbs some of the sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor. However, if you’re a sauce lover, you may want to add some more tomato sauce to the beef and drop the pasta to about 4 oz.

The extra sauce and reduced pasta will give you a little more sauce to the pasta ratio and ensure that you’re taste buds are happy.

Also because I hate to waste a single drop of sauce. After adding the tomatoes to the beef, I always add a little water into the jar, slosh it around and add to the sauce.

This always thins out the sauce just a bit and ensures you get your money’s worth out of every jar.

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Baked Spaghetti (Casserole)

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

cool

10 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

It’s everything you love about spaghetti in a casserole. Tender pasta noodles, warm cheese and a savory tomato sauce make this a new family favorite.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: 8 servings

ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper
• 1 24 oz jar of tomato sauce
• salt & pepper to taste

Pasta, Filling & Topping

• 5 oz cooked spaghetti
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• extra parmesan cheese to sprinkle across top

instructions

Sauce

1. In a large pan heat up 1 tsp of olive oil then add in garlic, onion, ground beef, oregano, red pepper and saute until no pink remains. Remove from heat and drain off the excess oil. Return to stove top, add in the tomato sauce (make sure to swish a little water in the jar to get every drop) and simmer on low for 10 minutes. 

Pasta & Filling

1. In a large bowl add the melted butter, 1/2 of the parmesan cheese and the two eggs. Mix all the ingredients together and then add in the spaghetti, make sure the pasta is well coated. Then place the pasta mixture in a lightly greased oven-safe casserole dish. Spread out the pasta so it covers the bottom.

2. For the filling, mix the other 1/2 of the parmesan cheese and ricotta cheese together, then spread a layer in the center of the pasta. Smooth it out to make thin layer. 

Putting It All Together

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350-degrees. Remove the sauce from heat and add it all on top of the pasta and filling. Then top the dish with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and a hefty sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Place uncovered in oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes – or until it’s bubbly and the cheese has melted and browned slightly.

2. Remove from heat and cool for about 10 minutes before serving.