Baked Spaghetti Recipe
A cozy, hearty baked spaghetti with rich meat sauce and a melty cheese topping — easy to make, freezer-friendly, and always a family favorite.
Servings: 9
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 lb spaghetti uncooked
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion medium, diced
- 5 garlic cloves small, minced
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- fresh basil leaves chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add the ground meat along with the Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks, for 8–10 minutes.
- Pour in the marinara sauce. Stir well, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the cooked pasta and sauce until well combined, then layer into a baking dish and top with the cheese mixture.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. In the last few minutes, remove the foil so the cheese can melt and bubble on top.
- Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving — or up to 15 minutes if you want clean, sliceable portions like a casserole.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 portion | Calories: 515kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 1054mg | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 3mg