Description
This delicious Baked Spaghetti recipe combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with a rich meat sauce and creamy cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, comforting, and hearty dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti Mixture
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully browned. Drain any excess grease to make the dish less oily. Then stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer briefly to blend the flavors.
- Layer Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan. Spread half of this spaghetti mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the meat sauce over it, then repeat with the remaining spaghetti mixture and meat sauce.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly. For a nicely browned and golden top, remove the foil and broil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the baked spaghetti to cool for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Italian sausage or lean ground beef depending on your preference for flavor and fat content.
- Cook the spaghetti al dente as it will cook further during baking.
- Broiling at the end adds a lovely golden top but keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a bright, fresh flavor as garnish.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
