Easy Baked Spaghetti: Cheesy Comfort Food Ready in 45 Minutes
By Olivia Hayes
This baked spaghetti recipe is a comforting combination of ground beef, marinara sauce, and a trio of cheeses for a satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday gatherings, it features a golden cheesy top that adds delightful texture. Simple to prepare, it can be made ahead and stored for convenient future meals. Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete dinner experience.
Ingredients
- •1 pound uncooked spaghetti
- •1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean preferred)
- •0.5 medium onion (chopped)
- •0.5 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- •0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- •4 cloves garlic (minced)
- •4 cups marinara sauce (about a 32-ounce jar)
- •Salt (to taste)
- •Pepper (to taste)
- •1 cup shredded mozzarella
- •1 cup shredded cheddar
- •1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- •Chopped fresh parsley (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- 2
Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook it for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate.
- 3
Once done, drain the spaghetti and add it to a 9x13 casserole/baking dish.
- 4
Meanwhile, add the beef, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes to a skillet.
- 5
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat has browned, about 10 minutes.
- 6
If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.
- 7
Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute, then add in the marinara sauce and cook until warmed through.
- 8
Pour the beef mixture over the spaghetti and toss until everything is coated.
- 9
Smooth it out into an even layer.
- 10
Top with the cheeses and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- 11
Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese if desired, watching carefully.
- 12
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then serve by cutting it into squares and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
476
Protein
33g
Fat
15g
Carbs
51g
