If you are looking for a classic comfort food that reminds you of home-cooked meals with your loved ones, then a classic spaghetti would be one of your top choices. But do you know what’s better than a classic spaghetti? A baked spaghetti!
This great recipe I am about to share with you combines the richness of the spaghetti noodles, the meaty sauce, and melted cheese all baked together into perfection!
Contents
How to Make Baked Spaghetti Casserole
A baked spaghetti is a timeless dish that everyone will love! It is essentially a casserole style dish which makes it a perfect meal for gatherings, family dinners, and more! And the best part is that you can easily make this dish yourself!
Ingredients
12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
1 lb lean ground beef
4 cups no-sugar-added spaghetti sauce
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups cottage cheese
2 1⁄2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
For the meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown, and then drain the fat after.
Add the spaghetti sauce until everything is cooked through or bubbly.
On another plate or small bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella, and 1/4 cup parmesan.
Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer 1 cup of meat sauce mixture, half the spaghetti, half the cheese, and half the remaining meat mixture. Repeat all layers until the dish is full.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover and add the remaining cheeses then bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Garnish the baked spaghetti with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
Serve hot and onto plates or bowls, and enjoy the comforting goodness of this classic, tasty dish.
More notes and tips for the best easy Baked Spaghetti
Making this baked spaghetti dish is extremely easy with just a few ingredients which is why the recipe is very straightforward and easy to follow. But if you want to make sure that you get the best results from this dish, then I have here some more notes and tips for the best baked spaghetti:
- You are always welcome to get creative with your baked spaghetti! Feel free to add additional vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to add more nutrition to your dish.
- You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef if you prefer.
- For a spicy kick, you can also add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños into the sauce.
- Experiment with different cheeses or use your favorite cheese! You can also substitute ricotta cheese for a creamier texture.
- You can use diced tomatoes for fresher flavor and/or marinara sauce.
- This is a quick recipe but you can also add some Italian sausage for more flavor.
- I recommend using a sturdy pasta shape like spaghetti or penne that can hold up well when it comes to baking so that it will not turn out mushy after.
What to serve with Baked Spaghetti
As you can already tell, this baked spaghetti dish is already so feeling and flavorful that you can easily eat it on its own. But if you prefer adding a side dish to it, then I have here a list of what to serve with baked spaghetti:
- Garlic Bread
- Simple Green Salad
- Steamed or Sautéed Vegetables
- Fruit Salad
- Baked Potato Wedges
- And more!
How to store Baked Spaghetti Leftover
If you have some baked spaghetti leftovers, then you do not have to worry because you do not need to throw them immediately away. To store your leftovers, allow the baked spaghetti to cool down first to room temperature before storing.
If you have a large batch of leftover baked spaghetti, do divide it first into smaller portions. You can then transfer the baked spaghetti leftovers to an airtight container and cover it with foil or plastic wrap. Baked spaghetti can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days.
To reheat the leftover baked spaghetti, you can just heat it in the microwave, oven, or stovetop until all is warm throughout.
How to make a low carb Baked Spaghetti
If you are on a low carb diet, then you do not have to completely deny yourself of consuming this tasty dish. Instead, you can just substitute some of the ingredients I gave to low-carb option ingredients! Here are some more tips to make a low carb baked spaghetti:
- Go for low-carb pasta substitutes such as spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, or spiralized zucchini which are lower in carbs than a traditional wheat pasta.
- Choose crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes that are free of added sugars. Check their nutrition information to make sure you’re selecting tomato products with minimal carbs.
- Feel free to make your own marinara sauce using fresh tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and olive oil.
- Make sure to add cheese in moderation to keep your dish low carb.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Do you want to add a tasty, cheesy twist to your classic spaghetti? If so, this baked spaghetti recipe is a family favorite! You will only need a few ingredients to make this delicious dish - so get ready to bake!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 cups no-sugar-added spaghetti sauce
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups cottage cheese
- 2 1⁄2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
- For the meat sauce: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown, and then drain the fat after.
- Add the spaghetti sauce until everything is cooked through.
- On another plate or small bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella, and 1/4 cup parmesan.
- Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer 1 cup of meat sauce mixture, half the spaghetti, half the cheese, and half the remaining meat mixture. Repeat all layers until the dish is full.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover and add the remaining cheeses then bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Garnish the baked spaghetti with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Serve hot and onto plates or bowls, and enjoy the comforting goodness of this classic, tasty dish.
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.