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
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 has all the ingredients of regular spaghetti (meat, noodles, sauce, cheese) with a few additions like ricotta and egg to bind it all together when it bakes. It’s a 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 Baked Spaghetti 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
This Baked Spaghetti is a hearty and easy casserole for a weeknight Italian dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 jar (32 ounces meatless spaghetti sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
-
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 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.
Recipe Notes
Source: adapted from Taste of Home
And if want some other great meals to bring into families, try these:
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.
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