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Baked Spaghetti with Savory Meat Sauce and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 74 reviews

This classic Baked Spaghetti recipe features a rich, savory ground beef tomato sauce layered with tender spaghetti and melty cheeses, then baked to bubbly perfection. A comforting Italian-American casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining a luscious slow-simmered meat sauce with Swiss and mozzarella cheeses for a creamy, satisfying finish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 stick celery, finely diced (optional)
  • 750g / 1.5lb ground beef (mince)
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) dry red wine (or substitute with water or beef broth/stock)
  • 3 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
  • 1.2kg / 2.4 lb canned crushed tomato
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 – 3 tsp white sugar, if needed
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 dried bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Assembly

  • 500g / 1lb spaghetti
  • 8 – 10 slices Swiss cheese (or other type, enough for one layer)
  • 2 cups (200g) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-based pot over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and finely chopped onion, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add diced celery and carrot if using, and cook for an additional 3 minutes to soften the vegetables.
  2. Brown the Beef: Increase heat to high and add the ground beef. Cook while breaking it up with a spoon until the beef is browned evenly.
  3. Add Wine and Simmer: Pour in the dry red wine (or the chosen substitute) and let it simmer vigorously for 2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and flavors to concentrate.
  4. Add Remaining Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the crumbled beef bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar (start with 1 tsp and adjust to taste), Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  5. Simmer Much Longer: Lower the heat, cover with a lid, and gently simmer for a minimum of 45 minutes, ideally up to 1.5 to 2 hours for deeper flavor development. Add water if the sauce thickens too much, ensuring it stays saucy.
  6. Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to the package instructions but reduce cooking time by one minute to keep it firm for baking.
  7. Drain and Combine Pasta with Sauce: Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add just over half of the meat sauce and toss gently to coat the spaghetti evenly.
  8. Assemble the Casserole: Spread half the sauced spaghetti in a casserole pan. Layer half of the remaining sauce over the pasta. Arrange the Swiss cheese slices over the sauce layer. Then, spread the remaining pasta followed by the rest of the sauce. Top everything with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake the Spaghetti: Cover the casserole loosely with foil to prevent cheese from sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  10. Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil carefully (set aside) and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Rest and Serve: Replace the foil loosely and let the casserole stand for 10 to 15 minutes after baking. Use a knife to cut the baked spaghetti into slices and serve with a spatula, similar to lasagna pieces.

Notes

  • If the sauce tastes too acidic, add a teaspoon of white sugar incrementally to balance the flavor.
  • Substitute dry red wine with water or beef broth if preferred or for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Simmering the sauce longer intensifies the flavors, but 45 minutes is the minimum for a tasty result.
  • The carrot and celery are optional but add sweetness and depth to the sauce.
  • Make sure to undercook the spaghetti slightly so it holds texture after baking.
  • Swiss cheese adds a mild nutty flavor, but feel free to substitute with provolone or mozzarella slices.

Keywords: baked spaghetti, baked pasta casserole, ground beef spaghetti bake, Italian comfort food, cheesy spaghetti bake

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/baked-spaghetti-with-savory-meat-sauce-and-cheese-recipe/