Description
This delicious Baked Spaghetti recipe combines tender cooked spaghetti with a savory meat sauce and creamy cheese layers, baked to perfection and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this dish features Italian flavors and a crispy golden cheese crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 1 pound spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (half of 1 cup)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (half of ½ cup)
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 (remaining half)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (remaining half)
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease carefully. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer briefly to blend flavors.
- Layer Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with the ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix gently but thoroughly. Spread half of this spaghetti-cheese mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture and meat sauce.
- Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dish is hot and bubbly. To achieve a golden and slightly crispy top, remove the foil and broil on high for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked spaghetti cool for about 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground meat with a plant-based alternative or sautéed mushrooms and vegetables.
- Use gluten-free spaghetti to make this dish gluten-free.
- Cook spaghetti slightly less than al dente as it will continue to cook in the baking process.
- Broiling should be done carefully to avoid burning the cheese; keep a close eye on it.
