Description
This easy spaghetti casserole is the ultimate comfort food—layers of tender pasta, rich meaty tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks and captures all the cozy flavors of classic spaghetti, made even more irresistible in casserole form.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Casserole
- 12 oz (340 g) dried spaghetti
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Layers
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (45 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
For Topping
- 1/4 cup (10 g) chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse briefly with cool water, and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until mostly browned. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Pour in the marinara sauce, add Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half the cooked spaghetti over the bottom. Dollop half the ricotta over the pasta, then spread half the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat these layers with remaining ingredients: pasta, ricotta, sauce, and cheeses.
- Bake: Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until bubbly and the cheese is golden brown around the edges.
- Garnish & Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for ground beef.
- Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra veggies.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully.
- For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and bake when ready.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
