Description
This delicious baked spaghetti casserole combines al dente pasta with a savory meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta and melted cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for a comforting family dinner, this recipe showcases classic Italian flavors with easy preparation and a cheesy, golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the baked spaghetti doesn’t stick.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage thoroughly. Drain any excess grease, then add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer briefly.
- Mix Pasta and Cheeses: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to evenly coat the pasta with the cheese.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread half of the spaghetti and cheese mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer. Repeat with the remaining spaghetti mixture and meat sauce to create two layers.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top layer evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
- Optional Broil for Crust: To achieve a golden cheese crust, remove the foil and broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable marinara sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella for the best melting and flavor results.
- Make sure to drain the cooked spaghetti well to avoid watery casserole.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and consider adding red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
