Baked Spaghetti Recipe

This Baked Spaghetti Casserole is layered with a rich, meaty sauce, dollops of creamy ricotta cheese, and plenty of melted mozzarella. A comforting, nostalgic meal that is guaranteed family-friendly!

I’m kickin’ it old school today. I’m talking classic, blast from the past, down-home, Baked Spaghetti Casserole. There’s nothing fancy about this recipe but it is one of the most family-friendly, crowd pleasing dishes in existence.

I think I was about 13 years old when I made my first attempt at spaghetti casserole and it was as delicious then as it is now. I’ve made some small, but important, changes to my recipe over the years that make it different than other popular versions I’ve seen. I think they also make it pretty darn amazing.

Save this one to your list of recipes to bake and take to a school function, sports banquet, or potluck. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be asked for the recipe and possibly hugged and kissed a couple of times.

This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. You’ll find detailed instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.

To help ensure your cheesy casseroles will stay cheesy, coat the underside of the foil with nonstick cooking spray before covering the dish. This helps prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil when you remove it.

Spaghetti Casserole stores and reheats exceptionally well. It’s one of those pasta dishes that may even taste better the next day.

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Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.

This post was originally published on March 24, 2014. It has been updated with new text and s.

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti is my grandchildren’s most-loved dish. It feels like such a special dinner and is so cozy for winter. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Prep: 25min

Total: 01h25min

Yield: 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts: calories 526 calories, Fat 24g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 127mg cholesterol, Sodium 881mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup grated BelGioioso Parmesan Cheese
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cups 4% cottage cheese
• 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Chopped fresh basil, optional

Instruction:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook spaghetti according to package directions for al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 6-8 minutes, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in pasta sauce and seasoned salt; set aside., In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat., Place half the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13×9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Top with half the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet., Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, 20-25 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with basil.

Baked Spaghetti

This easy baked spaghetti recipe is the classic comfort food you need for weeknight dinner.

Prep: 15min

Total: 1h

Yield: 6 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 684 Calories, Fat 31 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 798 mg, Carbohydrate 65 g, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 9 g, Protein 32 g

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 16 oz. spaghetti
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. ground beef
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 c. basil, chopped
• 1 c. shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instruction:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain fat in a bowl lined with paper towels and return to pan. Pour in crushed tomatoes and basil and simmer until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
3. Toss with spaghetti, then transfer to baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until cheese is melted and pasta is warmed through, about 20 minutes.
4. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

This Baked Spaghetti Casserole is layered with a rich, meaty sauce, dollops of creamy ricotta cheese, and plenty of melted mozzarella. A comforting, nostalgic meal that is guaranteed family-friendly!

Prep: 20min

Total: 60min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: Trans Fat 0.5 g, calories 553 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 41 g, Fat 24 g, Saturated Fat 12 g, Cholesterol 122 mg, Sodium 1380 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 8 g, unSaturated Fat 10 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces spaghetti noodles (broken in half)
• 1 pound 90 to 92% lean ground beef
• ½ cup diced white or yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite brand)
• 15 ounce can diced tomatoes (don’t drain)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• ¾ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese ((about 8 ounces) divided)

Instruction:

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How To Make THE BEST Baked Spaghetti | Easy & Cheesy Spaghetti Recipe #MrMakeItHappen

FAQ

How is baked spaghetti different?

Can you overcook baked spaghetti?

How does Paula Deen make spaghetti?

1. 8 oz uncooked angel hair pasta.
2. 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
3. 1 1/2 lbs ground beef.
4. 1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen’s House Seasoning.
5. 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar.
6. 1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen Seasoned Salt.
7. 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning.
8. 2 cups tomato sauce.

What is a serving of baked spaghetti?