Cheesy Baked Spaghetti is one of those comfort food meals that always brings everyone to the table. I start by cooking spaghetti until perfectly al dente so it can hold up during baking. While the pasta cooks, I build a rich meat sauce by sautéing onions and garlic until fragrant before adding ground beef and letting it brown beautifully.
Once the beef is cooked, I stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of red pepper flakes. The sauce simmers for a few minutes to allow the flavors to develop and create a hearty, savory base.
Next, I combine the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce and mix in a generous amount of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheese. This step ensures every strand of pasta gets coated with cheesy goodness.
The mixture is then transferred to a baking dish and topped with even more cheese. As it bakes in the oven, the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer while the sauce thickens and the flavors come together perfectly.
When it comes out of the oven, the casserole is rich, cheesy, and packed with layers of savory flavor. Each bite delivers tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese that makes this dish irresistible.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Rich, cheesy comfort food classic
• Loaded with savory meat sauce
• Layers of melted mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan
• Easy to make for family dinners
• Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
• Crowd-pleasing casserole everyone enjoys
This baked spaghetti combines the flavors of traditional spaghetti with the cheesy goodness of a casserole.
Recipe Variations
Italian Sausage Baked Spaghetti
Replace ground beef with Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
Creamy Baked Spaghetti
Mix in ½ cup cream cheese or ricotta cheese for a creamier texture.
Chicken Baked Spaghetti
Substitute the beef with shredded rotisserie chicken.
Spicy Baked Spaghetti
Add extra red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for heat.
Vegetable Baked Spaghetti Add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the meat sauce.
Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors blend together.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti and meat sauce. Add 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup cheddar, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish. Transfer the spaghetti mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.For a crispier top, broil for the last 2 minutes.
- Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
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