Baked Spaghetti is the perfect combination of classic comfort food and cheesy, oven-baked goodness. This dish takes everything you love about traditional spaghetti – savory meat sauce, tender pasta, and melted cheese – and bakes it into a hearty, satisfying casserole that is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers.
The magic of Baked Spaghetti starts with the sauce. Ground beef or Italian sausage is cooked with onions, garlic, and Italian herbs, then simmered with crushed tomatoes or marinara until rich and flavorful. The cooked spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, layered in a baking dish, and covered with plenty of shredded mozzarella, parmesan, and sometimes ricotta or cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Once baked, the top becomes golden and bubbly, while the inside stays saucy and cheesy with every bite. It is like lasagna but even easier to prepare. You get the same comforting flavors without the extra steps of layering pasta sheets.
This dish is also wonderfully flexible. You can swap the meat for ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative, or load it up with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. Some versions even add a layer of cheese in the middle for extra indulgence.
Baked Spaghetti is easy to prepare ahead of time. Simply assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. It is perfect for meal prepping, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner. Serve it with garlic bread and a simple green salad to complete the meal.
Every bite delivers cheesy, saucy, comforting goodness that feels like a warm hug. It is a family favorite for a reason, simple ingredients come together to make something truly delicious and satisfying. Baked Spaghetti is one of those dishes you will return to again and again.
Ingredients
- 200 grams spaghetti uncooked
- 500 grams ground beef lean
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 400 grams tomato sauce canned
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano, and basil. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, then transfer the mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Yummy! I made it for my family and they ate it all up! Highly recommend! 😋
Easy recipe but I forget to preheat oven. Ended up cooking spaghetti long and was soggy. Oops! Warning to others!
Sounds like a classic mistake! I’ve done that too and it’s so frustrating. But the good thing is, soggy or not, it probably still tasted alright! Just don’t forget next time.
LOL, oops indeed! I always forget stuff too. Mine was a burnt mess once. But a good tip: set a timer for the oven! It helps.
This recipe is amazing! I never thought spaghetti could be this good. The cheese on top is perfect. Definitely a 5!
I totally agree! This baked spaghetti recipe is a game changer! The cheese is out of this world!
I think adding parmesan cheese on top would be even better! Will try next time. This is definitely a keeper!
Hmm, I don’t know. Parmesan might be too salty. But whatever, do what you want! 😂
Parmesan sounds great! I usually add more spices too for some extra kick. Can’t wait to try this recipe again!
Pretty good, but I think it could use more seasoning. I like my food spicy. 😅
I added some bell peppers and it turned out so good! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, bell peppers! That’s a great twist. I never thought of adding them. I bet it adds a nice crunch!
This turned out super comforting. I used a little extra garlic and it was perfect for a weeknight dinner—everyone went back for seconds.
Totally agree—comfort food done right. I’m glad the garlic worked for you; this is one of those dinners where a little extra really pays off.
Made this tonight and it was seriously comforting. The oregano+basil combo tastes super classic, and the mozzarella on top gets that perfect bubbly crust. I added a pinch of chili flakes—10/10.
Okay so… I forgot the garlic at first (oops), but I still made it work. I baked longer because my cheese wasn’t browning. Tasty!
Honestly that’s the best kind of save 😂 If the cheese wasn’t browning, longer bake makes sense—ovens vary so much. Glad it still turned out tasty!
Wait… you forgot the garlic? I feel like that’s kinda the whole point. 😅 But if it was still good, I guess timing and oven temp matter more than we think. Did you use the full 20-25 minutes at 180°C?
Spaghetti and cheese?? That’s what’s wrong with America! Eating garbage!