Description
Spaghetti Casserole turns classic pasta night into baked, bubbly comfort. Layers of cheesy noodles and hearty meat sauce make seconds unavoidable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F and position a rack in the center, creating the perfect environment for a bubbling casserole.
- Boil 12 ounces of spaghetti in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly in a colander.
- Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour 24 ounces of marinara sauce into the skillet with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, stirring to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the meat sauce for exactly 5 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld together deliciously.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti with 2 cups of ricotta cheese and the prepared meat sauce in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Transfer the creamy spaghetti mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered at 350F for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing it to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the casserole.
- Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or fontina for a unique flavor twist that keeps the dish interesting.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to boost nutrition and create more complex layers of taste.
- For a gluten-free option, replace traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make the recipe accessible for more people.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg