How to Make Baked Spaghetti

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Baked Spaghetti: The Ultimate Comfort Casserole

Few dishes strike the perfect balance between comfort, heartiness, and convenience quite like baked spaghetti. This timeless casserole melds familiar flavors—tender spaghetti, rich tomato sauce, savory ground beef, and gooey cheese—into a bubbly, satisfying meal. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner, bringing a dish to a potluck, or looking for a way to feed a crowd on a budget, baked spaghetti offers both flexibility and flavor. In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know, from ingredients and substitutions to step-by-step instructions, serving ideas, make-ahead tips, and more.

Why Baked Spaghetti Deserves a Spot at Your Table

A Cozy Twist on Classic Pasta

Baked spaghetti takes everything you love about traditional spaghetti—savory meat sauce, pasta, cheese—and transforms it into a fork-tender, sliceable casserole. Unlike stovetop spaghetti, baking the dish in the oven gives the flavors time to blend together and the cheese a golden, melted finish. The result is a meal that pleases just about everyone, from picky eaters to discerning food lovers.

Everyday Simplicity

This casserole is easy enough for busy weeknights. You can have it prepped and in the oven in under 30 minutes. Most of the work happens as it bakes, freeing you up to tackle other tasks or just relax until it’s ready.

Adaptable and Customizable

Baked spaghetti is a blank canvas for your favorite ingredients. Switch up the protein, add vegetables, or play with different cheeses. The base remains simple—giving you endless options for variation.

Baked Spaghetti Ingredients and Why They Matter

A great baked spaghetti casserole relies on quality, well-chosen ingredients. Here’s a breakdown, along with some common substitutions and additions.

Main Ingredients

• Spaghetti: Use classic durum wheat pasta for the best texture, but whole wheat or gluten-free work too.
• Ground beef: Lean ground beef (80-85%) keeps the dish moist and flavorful. For a lighter version, sub turkey or Italian sausage.
• Yellow onion: Diced and sautéed, it brings sweetness and depth to the sauce.
• Garlic: Minced garlic builds aroma and complexity.
• Spaghetti sauce: A jarred marinara or homemade tomato sauce forms the base. Opt for one with Italian herbs for extra flavor.
• Seasonings: A rounded teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste allow you to control the flavor profile.
• Eggs: Beaten eggs bind the pasta, giving structure to the casserole.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated if possible. It adds a salty, nutty undertone.
• Cottage cheese or ricotta: Creamy cheese lends richness and keeps the casserole moist.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella, added in layers and on top, gives that classic melt and stretch.

Optional Additions

Consider adding:

• Sliced mushrooms or chopped bell peppers for earthiness and crunch.
• Sautéed spinach or zucchini for a nutritional boost.
• Red pepper flakes, black olives, or sun-dried tomatoes for depth.
• Cheddar or provolone for added flavor complexity.

Ingredient Table

Step-by-Step: How to Make Baked Spaghetti

Let’s walk through preparing baked spaghetti from start to finish:

1. Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2. Cook the Pasta

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
• Add the spaghetti and cook until just al dente—usually a minute less than the package directions. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking.
• Drain well. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.

3. Brown the Meat

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
• Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for another 3 minutes, until onions turn translucent and fragrant.
• Drain off any excess fat.

4. Build the Sauce

• Stir in the spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes so the flavors can blend.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

5. Mix the Pasta Layer

• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, grated parmesan, and melted butter.
• Add the drained spaghetti to this bowl. Toss until each strand is well-coated.

6. Assemble the Casserole

• Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Spoon over half the cottage cheese or ricotta, then sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella.
• Top with half the meat sauce.
• Repeat the layers: remaining spaghetti, remaining cottage cheese, remaining mozzarella, and then the rest of the meat sauce.

7. Final Cheese Layer

• Sprinkle the reserved cup of mozzarella over the top for a golden, bubbling finish.

8. Bake

• Cover the casserole with foil.
• Bake for 40 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 to 25 minutes. The top should be bubbly and golden.

9. Cool and Serve

• Let the baked spaghetti rest for at least 10 minutes. This helps the casserole set and makes slicing easy.
• Use a sharp knife or spatula to serve in neat squares.

Make It Yours: Popular Variations

Baked spaghetti is versatile. Here are some popular twists to make this recipe fit your kitchen:

• Protein Swaps: Substitute ground turkey, chicken sausage, or even lentils for a meatless version.
• Veggie Add-ins: Layer sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or roasted red peppers into the casserole.
• Cheese Play: Mix shredded provolone, fontina, or sharp cheddar with mozzarella for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free spaghetti and double-check your sauces and seasonings.
• Low-Carb: Spaghetti squash works well as a pasta stand-in for a lighter dish.
• Spicy Kick: Stir sliced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne into the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Baked spaghetti is a meal in itself, but these sides round it out beautifully:

• Garlic Bread: Buttery and crisp, ideal for mopping up sauce.
• Simple Salad: Toss mixed greens with a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil.
• Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or a medley of roasted veggies add freshness and color.

For an Italian-American feast, start with a simple antipasto platter, then serve up baked spaghetti for the main event.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

• Allow any remaining baked spaghetti to cool to room temperature.
• Transfer to an airtight container.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing Instructions

• Assemble the casserole but don’t bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• To bake from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

Reheating

• For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover and reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Slightly underdone pasta holds up best.
• Layer Ingredients Evenly: This ensures every serving gets plenty of meat, cheese, and pasta.
• Rest Before Serving: Slicing is easier and the texture is better if the casserole cools slightly.
• Season as You Go: Taste sauces and cheese layers for optimal flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make baked spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as usual, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold.

Do I have to use cottage cheese?
No. Ricotta is a great substitute, or skip it entirely for a firmer, less creamy casserole.

Can I double or halve the recipe?
Absolutely. Adjust ingredient amounts accordingly and use the appropriate size baking dish.

Homemade baked spaghetti brings comfort and warmth to any table. With endless ways to adapt and the simplicity of classic ingredients, this casserole remains a staple for busy cooks and pasta lovers alike. Whether you stick with tradition or add a personal twist, baked spaghetti stands ready to satisfy whatever the occasion.

Baked Spaghetti

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4.7 from 7 votes

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Course: Main Course / Cuisine: American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cooking Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 797 cal

This baked spaghetti will be an instant hit with your family. It’s packed with ground beef sauce and lots of cheese. It’s a hearty meal no one can resist.

Ingredients

• 5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 package (16 ounces) of spaghetti
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 jar of meatless spaghetti sauce (32 ounces)
• 2 cups small curd cottage cheese
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Boil a pot of lightly salted water, cook the spaghetti until tender (about 12 minutes), and drain.
3. In a skillet, cook the beef and onion until browned and the onion is soft (about 5-7 minutes). Drain the excess oil and stir in the spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt.
4. Whisk the eggs, parmesan, and melted butter in a large bowl. Toss it with cooked spaghetti.
5. Layer 1/2 of the spaghetti mixture in the baking dish, top with 1/2 of the cottage cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 of the meat sauce. Continue to repeat the layers. Then, cover it with foil.
6. Bake ut for 40 minutes, remove the foil, and sprinkle it with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake it until cheese is melted and lightly browned (20-25 minutes). Serve and enjoy!