Description
This Italian-Style Spaghetti Bake is a comforting and cheesy pasta casserole featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich meat and marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this baked pasta dish combines traditional Italian-American flavors with an easy-to-make casserole format.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt (for pasta water)
Meat Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Prepare meat sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for 6–8 minutes until the meat is browned and the onion has softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Simmer sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce along with Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper to your preference. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix thoroughly ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and cheese.
- Assemble casserole: Transfer the spaghetti mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top to create a golden, bubbly crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is fully melted and bubbly with a slight golden hue.
- Rest and garnish: Let the baked spaghetti rest for about 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Using ground turkey instead of beef or Italian sausage offers a lighter, leaner option.
- This dish freezes very well; assemble it completely and freeze before baking. When ready, bake directly from the freezer — great for meal prep and leftovers.
