Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Baked spaghetti casserole is the ultimate comfort dish that combines tender pasta, hearty ground beef, and gooey cheese, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy evenings at home, this dish not only warms the heart but also satisfies your taste buds with every bite. Easy to prepare and adaptable to your favorite ingredients, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone returning for seconds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté diced onion and minced garlic until translucent.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, cottage cheese, half of the mozzarella, salt, and pepper until coated.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture followed by half of the meat sauce; repeat layers saving some mozzarella for topping.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg