Description
A cheesy and comforting baked spaghetti casserole with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese — perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion; cook until meat is browned and onion is soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer half the spaghetti, half the meat sauce, dollops of ricotta (if using), and half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Make ahead and refrigerate overnight before baking for easy meal prep.
- Swap ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter version.
- Serve with garlic bread and a side salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American