Description
Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty, comforting one-dish meal that layers tender spaghetti with savory meat sauce and melty cheeses, baked to golden perfection. This easy and customizable casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping, delivering classic Italian-American flavors everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
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1 pound ground beef
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1 small onion, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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3 cups marinara sauce
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon dried basil
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Cook the Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a skillet, brown ground beef . Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened. Stir in marinara, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5-10 minutes.. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened. Stir in marinara, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5-10 minu
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Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked spaghetti, meat sauce, half the mozzarella, and all ricotta cheese.
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Assemble Casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease baking dish. Spread half the spaghetti mixture in dish, sprinkle half the Parmesan and mozzarella. Layer remaining spaghetti mixture, then top with remaining cheeses.
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Bake: Cover with foil, bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly and golden.
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Garnish and Serve: Let cool slightly, garnish with parsley or basil, and serve.
Notes
Substitute meat with sautéed mushrooms or veggies for vegetarian version.Try different cheeses like provolone or fontina.Add red pepper flakes or jalapeños for heat.Mix in spinach, bell peppers, or olives for extra nutrition.Use gluten-free pasta and sauce for gluten-free option.Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months.Reheat covered in oven or microwave before serving.
