Baked Spaghetti is a favorite casserole around here! 

Spaghetti is mixed with a quick zesty meat sauce, topped with cheese and baked in the oven until hot and bubbly for a family favorite meal.

Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti

• Meat: Use ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of the two. For a leaner option, ground turkey or turkey sausage can be used.
• Aromatics: Onion, garlic & green pepper add flavor to the sauce.
• Sauce: Use your favorite brand of pasta sauce or marinara sauce and add in diced tomatoes and Italian Seasoning for extra flavor
• Pasta: Since this is a baked spaghetti recipe, I used spaghetti noodles, but you can swap it for any long pasta or whole wheat spaghetti.
• Cheese: A mix of mozzarella and parmesan add a delicious topping. Pre-shredded cheese works just fine in this recipe.

How to Make Baked Spaghetti

1. Brown beef and onions. Add veggies and tomato sauce and simmer.
2. Toss the sauce with cooked spaghetti and transfer it to a baking dish.
3. Top with cheese and bake.

Holly’s Tips

Baked spaghetti is perfect for lasagna lovers looking for a quicker option.

• Ensure the spaghetti is cooked al dente as the noodles cook a bit more in the oven.
• Add extra veggies to the sauce. Try sliced mushrooms, shredded zucchini or carrots.  
• You can adjust this to your liking and add more or less sauce if you’d prefer.

Feeling Fancy? Garnish this recipe with fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving.

How to Prep Ahead

• Prepare as directed and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until hot in the center.
• Bake the casserole uncovered so the cheese can form a nice crust. Covering it will also make it steam, which can overcook the spaghetti.

Just like stuffed shells, this easy recipe is perfectly served with garlic bread and a Caesar salad.

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Baked Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti casserole is a family favorite and super easy to make!

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

• In a large pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions.

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the meat, onion, garlic, seasoning, and green pepper while breaking up the meat. Drain fat if needed.

• Stir in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, and tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the cooked spaghetti and parsley.

• Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, top with cheeses, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and the cheese is browned and bubbly. Cut into squares to serve.

If preparing ahead of time, increase the baking time 
This casserole can be covered with foil and frozen (before baking). Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, adding the cheese after 20 minutes.
Leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave until heated through. 

Calories: 413 | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 1054mg | Potassium: 864mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Casserole, Dinner, Entree, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

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