Hungry? Bake This Irresistible Spaghetti Casserole Now!
This Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty, cheesy dish with layers of spaghetti, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese, baked to perfection. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce. Toss until the pasta is well coated.
- Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the pasta layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
- Add the remaining spaghetti mixture on top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use Al Dente Pasta – Cook the spaghetti just until al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft after baking.
- Enhance the Sauce – Simmer the marinara sauce with extra garlic, Italian seasoning, or a splash of red wine for deeper flavor.
- Layer Evenly – Spread the cheese and sauce evenly between layers to ensure every bite is cheesy and flavorful.