Description
A hearty, cheesy baked spaghetti dish made with ground beef, marinara sauce, and three kinds of cheese. Perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 egg (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and ground beef until browned. Drain fat.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, and egg (if using).
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the spaghetti, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor.
- Substitute Italian sausage for a richer taste.
- Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: baked spaghetti, pasta casserole, cheesy baked pasta, ground beef pasta, easy dinner recipe