Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Baked spaghetti is an easy and hearty dish made by combining pasta, seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and creamy cheeses, all baked to perfection. It’s comforting, simple to prepare, and ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter, plus more for the baking dish
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 (32-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch (or another 3-quart) baking dish with butter. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti, and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Melt the butter in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in marinara sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Mix in the cooked spaghetti and ricotta cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Let cool briefly before serving.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the dish after cooling completely. Wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What’s the Difference Between Lasagna and Baked Spaghetti?
The main difference is in the type of pasta and layering. Lasagna uses wide, flat noodles layered with sauce, cheese, and often meat, resulting in clearly defined layers. Baked spaghetti, however, mixes spaghetti noodles directly with sauce, cheese, and meat, creating a more unified dish rather than separate layers.
Should You Cover Pasta When Baking in Oven?
Generally, baked spaghetti is cooked uncovered to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese topping. Covering it would keep moisture trapped, resulting in less crispness. However, if the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
How Do You Keep Baked Spaghetti from Drying Out?
To prevent drying, ensure your sauce mixture is generous and creamy enough before baking. If reheating leftovers, add a small amount of marinara sauce or broth to maintain moisture, then cover while reheating to retain the dish’s creamy consistency.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter plus more for the baking dish
- 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
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch (or another 3-quart) baking dish with butter. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti, and cook it according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Next, melt the butter in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef, 1 teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it is browned and fully cooked, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for about 3 minutes. Then, remove the pot from the heat and mix in the cooked spaghetti and ricotta cheese. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, scatter the mozzarella and parmesan on top, and bake for about 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
