Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Recipe
This Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed in a savory ground beef and marinara sauce, topped with a blend of melted Italian cheeses and baked to golden bubbly perfection. It’s simple to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners, and sure to please the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (93% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 (32-ounce) jar marinara sauce (such as Rao’s tomato basil)
Pasta & Cheese
- 1 lb package spaghetti
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set it aside while you prepare the pasta and meat sauce.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, but reduce cooking time by 2–3 minutes so the pasta remains slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large dutch oven or deep sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden utensil. Cook, stirring often, until browned and slightly crispy, about 6–7 minutes.
- Sauté Onion and Season: Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook until tender, about 3–4 minutes. Season the mixture with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add Garlic and Sauce: Stir in the garlic paste, brown sugar, and marinara sauce. Let the sauce simmer briefly for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce mixture, tossing until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta and meat sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: In a bowl, mix the shredded Italian cheese blend, sharp cheddar, and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pasta.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered at 375°F for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For an extra crispy cheese topping, broil for 1–2 minutes. Let cool for 5–7 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve portions with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side. Enjoy your cheesy baked spaghetti!
Notes
- Cooking pasta slightly underdone helps it to finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce for the best flavor; Rao’s tomato basil is recommended but any jarred sauce will work.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce if you want extra nutrition and flavor.
- Broiling at the end gives the cheese topping a nice golden crisp—watch it closely to prevent burning.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking cold.
Keywords: baked spaghetti, cheesy pasta bake, ground beef spaghetti, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, Italian casserole
