Description
This Italian-Style Spaghetti Bake is a hearty and comforting pasta casserole featuring al dente spaghetti, flavorful ground beef with marinara sauce, and creamy ricotta cheese, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for family dinners, it combines savory Italian herbs and a touch of spice to create a crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and the onions are softened, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, then add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce and ricotta cheese, stirring to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the spaghetti mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for the beef.
- You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese if preferred.
- This baked spaghetti dish freezes well; assemble fully and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen for a longer cooking time or thaw before baking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
