Baked Spaghetti
This Baked Spaghetti recipe is an easy dressed up version of spaghetti perfect for a potluck and the best pasta recipe for bringing in to a family for dinner. This is an Italian casserole everyone will love!
BAKED SPAGHETTI RECIPE
I need to find a new doctor. The one I have now always leaves me feeling confused and frustrated.
I grew up in a house where we didn’t even take Tylenol for headaches and we definitely didn’t go to the doctor unless we were absolutely dying. But over the years I’ve found that about once a year I come down with some sickness that won’t let me ignore it.
I’m pretty forgiving but it’s been one thing after another with this doctor. My last visit put me over the edge.
As I was telling her my symptoms, she wrinkled her forehead, opened her laptop and said enthusiastically, “Hmm. Let’s Google it!”
NOT what you want to ever hear from your doctor. At least excuse yourself to the hallway and then Google it, right?
And then she said, “Hey, look at this. How funny! It says ask your doctor.”
Hilarious. Hi-lar-i-ous.
Is she going to be paying my babysitter? Because I could have felt crappy and done the Google thing at home…for FREE.
I don’t know about you guys but I always struggle with what to bring into families for dinner. I want it to be good but also kid friendly.
I’m always so grateful when my friends bring me meals when I have a baby. What’s even more awesome is when the meal is somewhat kid friendly so I don’t have to make my kids a separate dinner which defeats the whole point of having someone bring a meal in.
This easy Baked Spaghetti recipe is a kid friendly as it gets but has a couple more add-ins that make it nice enough for any occasion.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED SPAGHETTI
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, seasoned salt, and Italian seasonings.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti and cool slightly; add spaghetti to the egg mixture and toss to coat.
- Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with half of the ricotta cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
WHAT IS IN BAKED SPAGHETTI?
Baked Spaghetti pie has all the ingredients of classic spaghetti (meat, noodles, sauce, cheese) with a few additions like ricotta and egg to bind it all together when it bakes. It’s a comfort food casserole that is hearty and dressed up for a nice Italian dinner.
I know I already have a decadent Baked Spasagna on this blog which is a mix between spaghetti and lasagna, but this Baked Spaghetti with ricotta cheese is more true to traditional spaghetti.
This delicious casserole freezes great and makes enough for a small army. Or 10 hungry adults in my case.
OTHER ITALIAN RECIPES:
- Baked Ziti
- Taco Lasagna
- Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Skillet Baked Ziti
- The Best Baked Ziti
- Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 jar, (32 ounces meatless spaghetti sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted water, cook spaghetti al dente, according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, seasoned salt, and Italian seasonings.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain cooked noodles and cool slightly; add spaghetti to the egg mixture and toss to coat.
- Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with half of the ricotta cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve with garlic bread and a simple salad. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.
Notes
And if want some other great meals to bring into families, try these:
Added some different cheese like Muenster and sharp cheddar. Recipe is easy and comes out perfect every time. I live alone and this provides lunch for 5 days, so very economical and easy.
Thank you!
Confused about the doctor story proceeding the recipe.
This is a blog and that’s what we do
I want to make this today but all I have is egg noodles , is it ok to use egg noodles in this recipe ?
It will definitely have a different texture but will work.
Fantastic. I used Rao’s marinara and Kerrygold butter and great quality cheese. This was amazing.
I used cooked Italian sausage instead of the beef, onions, and herbs. We loved it! It was even better on the day after. Thnx.
Sausage would be great.
This turned out delicious!
Thank you!
I usually don’t leave comments, but felt I needed to for this one. So, I messed the recipe up by adding the ricotta to the egg and butter mixture instead of the parm! I just sprinkled the parm on top of the noodle mixture. Still turned out great!! I used a 45 oz jar of sauce and ground turkey. I added some sliced zucchini to the top to add some more veggies. Yum! Exactly the comfort food I needed today!
So happy to hear that!
I’m making this recipe for the second time; it’s such a great comfort food. I’ve added some sauteed mushrooms today because they needed to be used. Since it’s just the husband and I, I’m splitting the recipe into two casseroles; one for tomorrow night and one for the freezer.
Thank you so much for your feedback. Yep definitely makes enough for an army.
Very good! This was so easy and tasty. I used a little more ricotta and a little less mozzarella because we didn’t have enough. I made it for my fiancé who always has critical feedback and his first response was “this is good. Thank you”. That’s a win for sure! Later he did mention it would be better with more tomato sauce so we heated the left overs with some. That’s just our preference but great dish. I will definitely make this again.
I tried this recipe for the first time today and I made scrambled eggs when I put the hot spaghetti in with cold eggs. The family still liked it but next time I will let the spaghetti cool before tossing with eggs.
Good idea. I can add a note to make sure of that.
Big hit in our house! I’ve made this exact recipe and have tweaked it a few times. Family loves it both ways! I like to use mild Italian sausage and put chopped flat leaf parsley in the burger or sausage mix after it’s cooked. Yummmm 😋
So glad you liked it!
I have made this several times Andy family loves it. I want to make it in advance and freeze to take on our annual beach vacation. Do I compose the dish, cool & freeze at this point? I guess I’m worried about the ricotta! Thanks!!
I would assemble and then freeze personally.
Hi Christy! I cook for an Independent Living community in Lampasas TX. I rely on Pinterest whenever I am stumped or need inspiration- It’s a small community with just 7-8 seniors that I cook for- plus my family. Whenever I look up a recipe and I see it comes from you- i think, i can trust its going to turn out great. I love your Panera bread broccoli cheese soup recipe. I make that often.
I use frozen broccoli instead though- works better for me. Anyway, making this today for our seniors! Will let you know! Thank you 🙂
Aww thank you Amy! I love hearing that it makes them happy.
Mmm delicious! I really love how put together this post is with nutrition facts and everything ♥️
You’re welcome!
Do you freeze it before of after baking?
I would freeze before.
Fresh grated Parmesan or the powdery kind?
Powder kind (grated) works here.
Can I prepare the dish on the eve and make the next day.
Love your baked spaghetti! My very favorite! I have made several of you’re recipes! Thanks!
This was great! I consider this a fine alternative to lasagna. My picky eater went back for seconds and that says a lot!😀
Great to hear!
Oh my was this a hit with my friends . NY sister can’t stop raving about it I served it for my gals card club. Fabulous .
I will make it stead of lasabna!! I did use much more sauce of my own with spinach.
Thank you
Yum! Great idea!
I’m trying the baked spaghetti (vegetarian version) for my daughter’s track team finale dinner tonight. It looks great. I’d love to see how it tastes, but I’m not sure there will be any left after feeding the hungry teens. Thanks for the recipe.
I made this recipe with spaghetti squash tonight and it was better than real spaghetti! Relish! Thank you!!
I love spaghetti squash. I bet it was great!
DELICIOUS! I used cottage cheese, less thank 2 cups of mozzarella, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of butter to make it healthier but it is still rich and hearty and comfort-food-perfection. Thank you
Do you cook the baked spaghetti and then freeze it Or freeze it and then bake it
I would freeze then bake.
Thank you for sharing this easy and super yummy recipe. I just made this for dinner and oh my, it’s a winner! Both my fussy boys and their Dad each ate three helpings! Since one of my boys is not a fan of tomato sauce, I used a jar of Alfredo sauce instead which worked wonderfully. I served it with a side of steamed broccoli and cauliflower for extra fiber and vitamins. Everything was devoured. Will be making this again. Thanks again for sharing. 🙂
You’re welcome!
The baked spaghetti was really good Thanks for sharing the recipe. I used Prego spaghetti sauce and found it to be a bit sweet. Next time I would look for a sauce with less sugar. Definitely a keeper!
Hello! This recipe sounds delicious! I am getting married in September and my soon to be mother-in-law will be making baked spaghetti for our rehearsal dinner. She asked me to find her a recipe and yours sounds perfect with the exception of the ricotta cheese. My fiancé and his family along with some of our bridal party do not like ricotta (crazy, I know!). Do you have any suggestions of what to replace it with? I am not a fan of cottage cheese in my spaghetti so I don’t want to go that route but I would still like it to be very cheesy.
Thanks!
P.S. Your doctor sounds awful! How frustrating!
Shoot. What about cream cheese? Congrats on your wedding!
I just want to comment that I love hearing that a family member will be cooking the food for a wedding rehearsal dinner. How refreshing to see others try to keep the ridiculous cost of weddings down to a realistic level by thinking about good places to hold down costs. Most people love good home cooking and even prefer it to restaurant food, if given a choice. I encouraged a lady I know to do this and also make food ahead for the wedding reception dinner. She found some dishes that would freeze well; then friends had a relatively simple job of getting pans into the oven and putting together a basic green salad. It was so much less expensive and everyone loved it. Catered meals can be left to the “rich and famous.” If you think about each part of the wedding and how you could reduce costs, you could create a beautiful wedding with wonderful memories and no burdensome debts. Use your hard-earned money for saving for a house or an education. Best wishes to you, Lindsay Thayer. I realize you’re married by now but maybe this comment will be helpful to other engaged people.
Can this be frozen and cooked later? I am expecting my first child this spring and this looks like a great freezer meal to prep!
Yes! It can definitely be frozen and baked later. I would thaw in the fridge the night before in a perfect world or just bake it longer.
I was curious to know if you have found a particular brand of “meatless spaghetti sauce” that is your personal preference for your baked spaghetti? Your recipes look amazing.
Thanks. Christi
I like Prego Three Cheese. That’s just me though.
I tried your recipe Baket Spaghetti and it turned out to be delicious!! Keep up the good work! I will surely trie more of you recipes!!!
Thanks Elenir! Hope you do!
This recipe looks delicious! I’m planning on dividing it into two 9in baking pans and freezing one for later. Should I defrost this completely before baking, or just put it into the oven frozen? Thanks!
-Susan
I personally would thaw it in the fridge. Put it in the fridge the night before you want to make it. That’s just me though.
Thanks for the reply, that’s very helpful!
Egg allergies here… thoughts about just eliminating egg. Would recipe hold together well enough?
I personally think it would be fine without the egg. Good luck!
My daughter chose this recipe to make for her girl scout cooking badge! She is excited, and is cooking it as I type this. Can’t wait to try it tonight (and the marshmallow chocolate mousse she is making.)
Oh YUM! This looks so good. I think I am going to have to make this soon 🙂
Would it still work if I omitted the beef to make this vegetarian?
Sure! I think it would!
Thank you for the recipe. I grew up on normal meat sauce and noodles and as an adult I hate it! After my roommates moved out of state I had 4 bags of spaghetti sitting in my pantry. Tried this last night, however, I didn’t use eggs and used vegetarian meatballs I cut into halves. My boyfriend loved it. I’ll be making it again for the family come Friday! 🙂
I made the baked spaghetti tonight and it was amazing! No changes were needed. My DH had 3 helpings! and my kids ate better than they have in a long time! We just paired it with French bread and butter. This meal will be a staple in our home now 😉 Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re welcome!
I liked this, but I think next time, I will leave out the ricotta and just add Parmesan or more mozzarella. And also, it makes a ton, so I will have to have a leftovers night.
I’ve never thought about baking spaghetti but seeing it so pretty with all that cheese piled high is definitely opening my mind 🙂 looks awesome!
I totally feel your pain! I’ve been going to my doctor for 3 yrs. I took my daughter in for her chicken pox vaccine and my dr introduced herself to me!! I was like yes I’m your patient too! I had been in there two weeks before!
Haha, oh my gosh!!
Instead of finding a new doctor, look for a nurse practitioner. We’re better at the holistic view of medicine and our bedside manner is even better! JMHO though…
Great idea – I must try! xo
Aliona | fromalionawithlove.com
This is such a crowd pleaser. It’s easy on the Mom’s too. AND it does make a wonderful pot luck dish.
Christy,
My husband loves his homemade spaghetti on white bread. His sister used to eat it that way too. I never could see the appeal but I’m wondering if this recipe might be suited to my whole family. So we could all enjoy spaghetti. Something about noodles and bread in the same bite that I couldn’t get into. : ) But I respect his taste. He makes a mean sauce. LOL!
Anyway does the egg make it rather solid or does it just serve to hold it together lightly? ‘
Re: doctors. I finally found one that at the end of the appt., stops and says, “Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?” And then he waits me out. : ) He took a long time to find. I had one that would say, “So what kind of drugs do you want today? Penicillin?” I’d come in for a sore throat that persisted. The jerk didn’t even look down my throat far enough to see there was like a canker sore or something along those lines that was causing the pain. (not to be gross — sorry) Never went back to him. Sometimes it’s discouraging how much you have to shop around until you find someone not only competent but compassionate as well. Good luck.
I’m anxious to get your cookbook in the next few weeks. I just LOVE your recipes.
Thanks.
Deb M.
Oh Deb! You’re so nice. Yes, it comes out soon.
I can’t believe that doctor. That’s crazy! The egg in this just holds it together lightly definitely not solid. -Christy
If we skip the egg, would the recipe still work?
I am so sorry you have a bad doctor. A friend once told me, “What do they call a medical student who graduated with a C average?” “A doctor.” “What do they call a medical student who graduated with an A average?” “A doctor.” It’s hard to find the A doctors sometimes! 🙂 I hope you find a better option soon.
This meal looks yummy. Do you think I could make this in the morning and cook it later in the evening? We’re having another baby in October, and I’m making a list of make-early-in-the-day-so-when-my-newborn-needs-to-nurse-at-5pm-dinner’s-done meals. 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!
Lynette,
That’s so funny! I’ve never thought about it that way.
You could definitely prepare this in the morning or the day before and make it in the evening. And it freezes well! Congrats to you and your upcoming baby. You’re super prepared. You’re making me look bad. 🙂
Love Baked Spaghetti!
OMGGGGGG. I am dying. DYING! It sounds like something that would happen to me.
And this spaghetti is totally happening here for dinner.
It looks delicious..I have been dreaming about baked spaghetti for a while.. 🙂
I am seriously questioning why I have never heard of this dish before. It sounds AMAZING and just the sort of thing I’d enjoy.
I he you get your new doctor sorted and feel better soon =)
This looks AMAZING, we would love this dish here!! So great. And that is the funniest story about your doctor. Scary!
Matt,
I love your site!! Thanks for stopping by. Christy
I constantly have to remind myself that doctors are only “practicing medicine” I think we put too much faith in them because they have the “DOCTOR” title! Yup, “I have to google that”…..ummmm yah, that would have set me over the edge. Pray about it sister! And eat lots of this delicious baked spaghetti!
Thanks Tahny. You always have sound advice for me!
I see Dr. Darice Weigel at Cleveland Clinic. She is in a separate building by the Weston Post Office. I find that she pays attention to what I say. I have been seeing her for a few years now. Her number is 954-349-1111. I find her to be caring and attentive. So sorry you are not feeling well.
Karen Steinberg
Karen,
Thank you!! I’ve asked all of my friends and none of them like their doctor. So nice to chat with you here! Christy
You definitely need a new doctor. Ask friends for a referral, or find some other doctor review site then make an appointment for a well check-up so you have already established care then on the occasions you do come down with something it will be easier to get in.
Oh, and you baked spaghetti looks great.
Good luck.