Description
Easy Baked Spaghetti is a comforting one-dish meal featuring al dente spaghetti tossed with a savory ground beef marinara sauce and topped with a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden perfection, this dish is perfect for family dinners and easy weeknight meals.
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
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the spaghetti for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and transfer it to 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 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Garlic and Marinara: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Pour in the marinara sauce and cook for a few more minutes until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour the meat sauce over the drained spaghetti in the baking dish. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. Smooth the mixture into an even layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and freshly grated parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil (Optional): For a golden brown cheese crust, broil for 2-3 minutes watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into squares with a spatula and serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Serves 8 people, depending on portion sizes.
- For a shortcut, use 2 cups of a shredded mozzarella and cheddar blend instead of separate cheeses.
- Freshly grating your own cheese often results in better flavor and melting quality.
- 4 cups of marinara sauce equals about 32 ounces, so use one 24-ounce jar plus a bit from a second jar.
- You can add a tablespoon of olive oil if the ground beef is very lean to help cook the onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
