Baked Spaghetti is hearty and family-friendly with a crispy cheesy top layer and ground beef filling that your kids will ask for every week!
This Italian Dinner is a more classic version of Baked Spaghetti, it costs less than our Baked Million Dollar Spaghetti and is easier to make than Ultimate Meat Lasagna and Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake.
Sabrina’s Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti is the perfect make-ahead meal for parents. After you try this recipe, if your kids could vote on dinner every night, you’ll be serving this 4 days a week. When you do serve it, you can even take it from the freezer! If it’s your first time cooking baked pasta, this is a good one to try. It starts out like a traditional pasta dinner and ends like a hybrid of spaghetti and lasagna. Baking spaghetti instead of just boiling it gives you the crispy, cheesy top layer that lasagna fans love. This easy-baked spaghetti is a great middle ground between spaghetti and Traditional Baked Ziti.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 yellow onion , chopped
- 4 cups Marinara Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
- 2 cups cottage cheese , divided
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese , shredded and divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
- Cook pasta 2 minutes shy of the directions.
- Add meat and onions to a large skillet on medium-high heat and brown while breaking it apart until fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add in the Marinara Sauce and mix well.
- Toss the noodles in the salt, eggs and butter.
- Put half the pasta in the bottom of the baking dish, then add half the cottage cheese, half the meat sauce and half the mozzarella.
- Top with the rest of the noodles, the rest of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese on top is crispy and golden brown.
Video
Nutrition
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Table of contents
Chef’s Note:
This recipe is so much more than just tomato sauce over noodles. It’s a great meal for weekdays since you will have leftovers for later dinners. Make it for the whole family and let the kids scoop out what they want (you’ll be surprised how much they eat).
Ingredients
This Baked Spaghetti recipe is easy to make using simple, accessible ingredients from your local grocer that come together to create a delicious, comforting meal. Check it out!
- Spaghetti: The main ingredient in this dish, spaghetti is a versatile pasta that pairs well with a variety of sauces and flavors.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef adds a hearty, savory flavor to the dish. You can substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce that provides a rich, robust flavor to the dish. You can use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds creaminess and a tangy flavor to the baked spaghetti. Ricotta cheese can be used as a substitute if preferred.
- Mozzarella Cheese: A mild, melty cheese that adds a gooey, delicious texture to the dish.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this spaghetti up to a day in advance. Assemble the dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow the dish to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. You may need to adjust the baking time slightly if the dish is still chilled when placed in the oven.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
Ground Beef Substitutions
- Italian sausage: the seasonings in Italian sausage add a kick of flavor to the bake.
- Ground turkey: an alternative to red meat that is delicious and filling.
- Ground tofu: tofu takes on a lot of the flavor of the sauce, and is a delicious vegetarian option.
- Jackfruit: This one takes a little more prep, but its meaty texture is hearty and tasty.
- Mushrooms: Delicious and versatile, mushrooms are great browned in melted butter.
How to Store
- Serve: You can leave this spaghetti out after baking for no longer than 2 hours.
- Store: Store Baked Spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 250 for 10 minutes, or in the microwave.
- Freeze: Wrapped well, you can freeze the recipe for 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat.
Serving Ideas
Spaghetti casserole is a delicious and satisfying main course that can be paired with various side dishes, appetizers, and desserts to create a complete and yummy meal. Here are some ideas to make it really fancy!
- Side Dishes: A fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette dressing is an excellent choice for balancing the richness of the baked spaghetti. You can also serve easy roasted vegetables for added color and nutrition. Garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any remaining sauce on the plate.
- Appetizers: Start your meal with some classic Italian appetizers like Balsamic Bruschetta or Caprese salad to set the tone for your baked spaghetti feast. Alternatively, you can offer a simple soup, such as Classic Minestrone Soup, to whet the appetite.
- Desserts: End the meal on a sweet note with traditional Italian desserts like tiramisu. If you prefer something lighter, consider serving an easy fruit salad to cleanse the palate.
Slow Cooker
If you are going to be out all day and want something ready when you get home, slow cookers are a great way to go.
- Cook the spaghetti noodles in a pot of boiling water until al dente (still firm.)
- Brown the ground beef in a pan with the chopped onion until cooked through, and then add in the marinara sauce and stir on medium heat.
- Mix the eggs, cheese, and butter together and add the cooked spaghetti noodles.
- Layer the spaghetti mixture and the meat sauce into the slow cooker, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with other pasta types such as linguine, fettuccine, or even penne. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Absolutely! Replace the ground beef with a plant-based protein option or simply add more veggies, like mushrooms and bell peppers, to the marinara sauce.
You can use ricotta cheese as a substitute for cottage cheese, which will still yield a creamy, delicious meal.
Variations
Baked Spaghetti offers plenty of opportunities for customization to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti: You can replace ground beef with a plant-based protein, like extra-frim tofu, or add extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Spicy Baked Spaghetti: Add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeño peppers to the marinara sauce for a kick of heat. Toast the jalepeños on the grill or a pan to give them a nice smoky flavor.
- Cheesy Baked Spaghetti: Everyone loves extra cheese! Use a combination of different cheeses, such as fontina, provolone, or asiago cheese.
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My family and I loved this! I have made it a few times and even the leftovers get eaten!
Delicious! I am freezing my leftovers. How would you recommend to reheat?