How to Make the Best Baked Spaghetti at Home

 Introduction

Baked spaghetti is one of those comforting dinners most families have in common. It’s a perfectly cooked pasta in a hearty sauce with melted cheese, and it tastes great.

 

What Makes This Baked Spaghetti Special

And it's so comforting because it's super simple to make, and the taste is great, and the ground beef adds flavor, and the cheese brings out the golden crispy crust everyone loves, and you can change the vegetable or cheese based on your preferred flavor. If you like baked pasta, you can also make this delicious mac and cheese.

 

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti noodles

• 1-pound lean ground beef

• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Diced onion

• Minced garlic

• Bell peppers

• Mushrooms (optional)

 

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Pasta

First bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and mix with a little olive oil so it does not stick.

 

Cooking the Meat Sauce

While the pasta is boiling, put a large pot on medium heat and add the ground beef, breaking it down to smaller pieces as it browns. Add the onion and garlic, then add them to the pot at this point to cook until soft. Drain the fat from the beef, then add the marinara sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil to the sauce, and simmer for about 5 minutes so all the flavors work together.

 

Assembling the Dish

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter. Arrange half the cooked spaghetti in the dish, then lay half the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Repeat with the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheese.

Baking to Perfection

Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly golden. Serve 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.

 

Serving Suggestion

Baked spaghetti can also be served along with garlic bread and a healthy green salad. Serve with more Parmesan cheese before serving. Preservation Tips: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days, or freeze them to store them longer.

 

FAQs

 

Can a different type of pasta be used?

Yes, other pasta shapes work well, like penne or rotini. Spaghetti is more traditional for this dish.

 

Is it possible to make this vegetarian?

Yes. You can use plant-based crumbles (or lentils) instead of ground beef for a meatless version.

 

How can the dish be made spicier?

If you add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meat sauce, it 'll have a nice kick.

 

Conclusion

Baked spaghetti is perfect for busy weeknights or any casual dinner party you might be having. With very simple ingredients and minimal prep, this pasta recipe will be a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. Baked pasta, meat sauce, and cheese make for an easy-to-crave comfort food.

 

Meta Description

Make the best baked spaghetti with ground beef, which includes layers of pasta, rich sauce, and cheese, making it a kid-friendly dinner.