Description
Easy Baked Spaghetti is a comforting, layered pasta dish featuring spaghetti, a rich meat sauce, and gooey cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
1 pound (450g) Dried Spaghetti
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 pound (450g) Lean Ground Beef
1 large Yellow Onion, finely chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Water or Beef Broth
2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Dried Basil
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
1 (15-ounce) container Ricotta Cheese
1 large Egg
1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, plus more for topping
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute
- Simmer the Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water or broth. Stir in oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper
- Preheat Oven & Assemble: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish
- Layer the Spaghetti: Spread half of the spaghetti in the baking dish
- Add Ricotta Layer: Spoon ricotta mixture over the spaghetti, spreading it out
- Add Meat Sauce Layer: Spread half of the meat sauce over the ricotta
- Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella over the meat sauce
- Repeat Layers: Repeat with remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Top with extra Parmesa
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes
- Rest and Serve: Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving
Notes
Allow leftovers to cool before storing in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg