Description
This hearty and cheesy Baked Spaghetti is a comforting dish perfect for family dinners. With layers of ground beef, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter, plus more for greasing
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 (32-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Grease a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti, and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Meat: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the marinara sauce into the beef and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cooked spaghetti and ricotta cheese until well combined.
- Bake: Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with torn basil before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Freezing: Baked spaghetti can be frozen. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with sautéed vegetables or a meat substitute for a vegetarian version.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Ingredient Variations: Feel free to add other cheeses or spices based on your preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the dish (approximately)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg