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Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Melty Mozzarella Recipe

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4.2 from 13 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

This classic baked spaghetti recipe combines tender spaghetti noodles with a rich, savory meat sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and serves 8.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 ounces spaghetti pasta (white or whole wheat)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Meat Sauce

  • ¾ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 48 ounces marinara sauce (2 jars, 24 ounces each, or homemade)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cheese and Garnish

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup)
  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C) to get it ready for baking the spaghetti casserole.
  2. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Break the spaghetti noodles in half for easier serving and add them to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté the onions: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and stir often, cooking for about 2 minutes until softened.
  4. Brown the meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Cook while crumbling the meat, until it’s fully browned. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
  5. Add garlic and sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything to combine.
  6. Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
  7. Combine pasta and sauce: Stir in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, then add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Mix thoroughly so the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.
  8. Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the spaghetti and sauce mixture to a 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella.
  9. Prepare for baking: Cover the baking dish with foil; to prevent cheese from sticking to the foil, lightly spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray.
  10. Bake the casserole: Bake covered for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the casserole is hot throughout and the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
  11. Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

  • If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey or sausage for the ground beef to vary the flavor.
  • Using whole wheat spaghetti increases the fiber content and adds a nutty flavor.
  • For a creamier texture, mix some ricotta cheese into the sauce before baking.
  • This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; refrigerate before baking and increase baking time slightly when reheating.
  • To prevent sticking, always spray the underside of the foil before covering the dish.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/baked-spaghetti-with-ground-beef-and-melty-mozzarella-recipe/