Baked Spaghetti

By Maria Lichty

Published on January 23, 2025

View RecipePin Recipe4.7138

Why You’ll Love Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

This Baked Spaghetti recipe is similar to lasagna, but it comes together in a lot less time. Spaghetti noodles are layered with hearty meat sauce, a creamy ricotta mixture, and lots of mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

• Comfort Food at Its Best: Warm, cheesy, and hearty—baked spaghetti delivers the ultimate comfort food experience that everyone craves.
• Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can prepare a delicious meal without a lot of effort.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: It keeps well in the fridge and can be easily reheated, making it ideal for meal prepping or leftovers.
• Customizable: Add your favorite ingredients—beef, sausage, ground turkey, even a meatless version with lots of veggies.
• Cheesy Goodness: Melted mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan create a rich, cheesy topping that adds a delightful texture and flavor.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for feeding a family or a group, whether it’s a weeknight dinner, potluck, or holiday meal.

Key Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some ingredient notes before you get started.

• Spaghetti noodles: The foundation of the dish. You can use any type of pasta you like, but spaghetti is the classic choice. Gluten-free pasta works too!
• Ground beef or sausage: Adds flavor and heartiness to the dish. You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat or add in sautéed veggies or roasted vegetables.for a lighter or vegetarian version.
• Marinara sauce: A rich, tangy tomato sauce brings everything together. You can use store-bought (we like Rao’s) or you can use our easy marinara sauce or slow cooker marinara sauce.
• Diced tomatoes– I add in tomatoes with the marinara sauce for more tomato flavor and to make sure the spaghetti isn’t dry.
• Ricotta cheese: I recommend whole-milk ricotta, it adds a creamy layer that makes the baked spaghetti extra indulgent. You can swap with cottage cheese if you want a boost of protein.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: For that melty, cheesy goodness that will form a golden crust on top. For the best results, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting smoothly.
• Parmesan cheese: Again, use freshly grated cheese!

How to Make Baked Spaghetti

Let’s get this pasta party started!

• First, cook the spaghetti to al dente. Drain and set aside. If the noodles are going to be sitting for several minutes, you can drizzle a little olive oil over them and toss so they don’t stick together.
• Cook the ground beef or sausage. In a skillet, cook the meat, until browned, stirring occasionally. Drain off excess fat and set aside.

• Cook the onion and garlic. Sauté the onion in olive oil until tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.

• Add the sauce and seasonings. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

• Combine the meat and sauce. Add the cooked beef (or sausage) to the skillet and stir until well combined with the sauce.

• Make cheese mixture. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
• Assemble. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and assemble the baked spaghetti. You are going to layer the noodles, sauce and cheese!

• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Don’t cover it with foil. You want the cheese to get brown and a little crusty.
• Garnish. Remove from the oven and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti

Here are a few side dishes that pair well with baked spaghetti.

• Easy Green Salad
• Simple Arugula Salad
• Simple Kale Salad
• Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Green Beans or Simple Skillet Green Beans
• Bruschetta
• Garlic Bread

Storing Tips

Baked spaghetti is great for meal prep or leftovers. Here are some helpful storage tips:

• Refrigeration: Allow the baked spaghetti to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: To freeze baked spaghetti, wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through.

More Pasta Recipes

• Baked Ziti
• Spaghetti
• Pasta Primavera
• Cacio e Pepe
• Spaghetti Carbonara
• Vegetarian Lasagna
• Baked Mac & Cheese

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Pasta

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti- this hearty baked pasta dish is a family favorite! The spaghetti is layered with a meaty sauce, lots of cheese, and baked until bubbly. Don't forget the garlic bread!

4.71 from 62 votes

PrintSave RecipeReview

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 8

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1 lb lean ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces marinara sauce
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• Extra parmesan cheese and fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the spaghetti to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. If the noodles are going to be sitting for several minutes, you can drizzle a little olive oil over them and toss so they don’t stick together.
• Place the beef or sausage in a large skillet and cook over medium heat. Break up with a wooden spoon while cooking. until browned and no longer pink. Drain off excess fat and transfer to a plate that has been lined with paper towels. Set aside.
• In the same large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the marinara sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Turn to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir the cooked beef or sausage into the sauce.
• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
• Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place half of the cooked spaghetti noodles on the bottom of the pan. Pour half of the meat sauce over the noodles.
• Spoon the ricotta cheese mixture over the sauce and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer. Top with ¾ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Add the remaining spaghetti and then the rest of the sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 436kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 780mg, Potassium: 834mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 827IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 261mg, Iron: 4mg

Keywords spaghetti

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