Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
Dive into the comforting indulgence of a Cheesy Spaghetti Bake, a family-favorite recipe that combines classic Italian flavors with an irresistible cheesy twist. Layers of tender spaghetti tossed in hearty marinara sauce with seasoned ground beef are nestled between dollops of creamy ricotta and topped with gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan. This baked pasta dish features an easy-to-follow method, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. With a golden, bubbly cheese crust and just the right hint of garlic and Italian seasoning, this oven-baked casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and watch as your family comes back for seconds! Keywords: cheesy spaghetti bake, baked pasta, family dinner recipe, comfort food, Italian-inspired.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 450 grams ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Mix well to form a cheesy mixture.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the remaining meat sauce in the skillet and toss to thoroughly coat the noodles.
Layer half of the spaghetti mixture into the baking dish. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture on top in dollops and spread it out gently. Repeat with the remaining spaghetti mixture and ricotta mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Uncover the dish and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3632 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 228.8 g | 293% | |
| Saturated Fat | 101.1 g | 506% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 905 mg | 302% | |
| Sodium | 6691 mg | 291% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 185.8 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.2 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.7 g | ||
| Protein | 213.3 g | 427% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 3734 mg | 287% | |
| Iron | 20.2 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 2029 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
