If you’re in search of an easy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing dinner, baked spaghetti is the perfect choice for you. Let’s make it together!
Baked spaghetti, a timeless classic that brings the warmth of the kitchen to the table. This recipe is a symphony of flavors, where the familiar dance of pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese creates a harmony that's impossible to resist. The beauty lies not only in its simplicity but also in the layers of comfort it delivers with each bite. The marriage of perfectly cooked spaghetti, a rich meat sauce, and a trio of cheeses is a celebration of homely goodness. Baked to perfection, it emerges from the oven as a bubbling masterpiece, inviting everyone to savor the essence of home-cooked love. Truly, a dish that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary event.
What is Baked Spaghetti?
Baked spaghetti is cooked spaghetti noodles, tossed in a savory tomato-based sauce, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden brown, making it a comforting and hearty dish. Sauces typically include ingredients such as ground meat, onions, garlic, tomatoes, herbs and spices. Sometimes additional ingredients such as peppers, mushrooms, or olives are added for extra flavor.
Rich, savory, and satisfying, baked spaghetti has a rich flavor. Tender pasta, savory sauce, and melted cheese combine to create a comforting and indulgent dish that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Baked Spaghetti is believed to have originated in Italy, where pasta is a staple of the cuisine. It is said to be reminiscent of traditional Italian pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese or baked ziti. Over time, cooks added their own twists and ingredients to the classic recipe, creating variations of baked spaghetti in different regions.
Today, in many countries around the world, baked spaghetti is a popular comfort food. It is often served at family gatherings, potlucks, and casual dinner parties because it is crowd-pleasing and easy to prepare.
How to Make Baked Spaghetti?
You will find a detailed list of ingredients, as well as step-by-step instructions, in the recipe below. Let’s review the basics:
Baked Spaghetti Ingredients
In order to prepare this baked spaghetti recipe, you will require the following ingredients.
- Noodles: To prepare the dish, you will require spaghetti noodles.
- Beef and onion: To prepare the meat sauce, you will need to combine ground beef with diced onions.
- Sauce: A jar of meatless spaghetti sauce is a convenient secret ingredient, but homemade sauce takes it up a notch.
- Salt: Using seasoned salt is a great way to improve the overall flavor of your dish.
- Eggs: Adding eggs to baked spaghetti helps to retain moisture and also binds the dish together.
- Cheeses: To prepare the recipe, make sure to have Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cottage cheese on hand.
- Butter: Adding melted butter to the dish will enhance its richness.
How Do You Make Baked Spaghetti?
When you make homemade baked spaghetti, you can expect a delicious and hearty meal that combines pasta, meat, sauce, and cheese in a delightful way.
- Cook the spaghetti in boiling water until it’s tender, then drain the water.
- Cook the beef and onion together, then drain off any excess oil.
- Add the sauce, salt, and whisked egg mixture to the pasta.
- Toss the spaghetti in the Parmesan mixture.
- Layer the ingredients in a baking dish that has been prepared beforehand, following the detailed recipe provided. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions accurately and layer the ingredients in the correct order.
- Cover with mozzarella cheese and bake until melted about 40 minutes.
Can I Make Baked Spaghetti in Advance?
Yes, you can save yourself sometime later by baking your spaghetti ahead of time! You can refrigerate the dish for up to two days when assembled and wrapped. You can also freeze it. To make it, assemble the dish and refrigerate it by wrapping it in plastic, then aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator and bake according to instructions. (Allow extra time if baking directly from frozen.)
What to Serve With Baked Spaghetti
Looking for side dish ideas to serve with baked spaghetti? Let me advise you on the most popular variations:
- Garlic Bread: To soak up the sauce and add a delicious garlic flavor, I recommend you serve warm garlic bread with baked spaghetti.
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and your choice of dressing is a refreshing contrast to the hearty baked spaghetti.
- Steamed Vegetables: A nutritious and colorful side dish, steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus complements pasta.
- Caesar Salad: A tasty accompaniment to baked spaghetti is a classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, grated Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing.
- Bruschetta: A tasty and light side dish, toasted slices of baguette are topped with a mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
How to Store Baked Spaghetti
Make sure to cover the leftover baked spaghetti tightly with an airtight lid, or transfer it into an airtight container before storing it in the refrigerator. It can last up to five days in the fridge. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze the baked spaghetti for up to three months.
What Kind of Meat is Good for Spaghetti?
There are so many different types of meat that can work well with spaghetti. For a lighter alternative to beef, you can easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for the meat. Also, recommend you try ground sausage for a spicier and more flavorful option.
Should I Cover the Pasta While It Is Baking?
It is a good idea to cover the spaghetti while it is baking to ensure that it is warm and bubbly throughout. Cover the spaghetti during the first 40 minutes of baking. This allows the heat to circulate and bake evenly. A sheet of aluminum foil will do the trick.
Can I Add Anything Else to Baked Spaghetti?
Of course, you can. Feel free to add extra slices of fresh mozzarella and even more Parmesan if you’re all about the cheese. Want to go veggie? Add a little something extra to this casserole by sautéing some peppers or mushrooms along with your onion and garlic. If you don’t feel like using ground beef, you can substitute any meat-or plant-based meat alternative heart desires: ground sausage or ground turkey are also delicious options.
The dish is very nutritious and is best suited for lunch, while it is too heavy for breakfast and dinner (especially if you are watching your figure). Baked spaghetti cannot be recommended for weight loss programs, but it is excellent for those who are actively exercising and looking to gain mass. However, I cannot classify this spaghetti as a healthy dish due to its high content of saturated fats and the combination of several types of animal protein (meat, eggs, cheese). If you are monitoring your cholesterol levels, this dish is definitely not for you.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil then add spaghetti. Cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until tender, then drain.
While you wait, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir beef and onion in the hot skillet until the meat is browned and the onion is soft and translucent, for about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove any excess oil from the pan and then add the spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt and stir it in.
Whisk together eggs, Parmesan, and melted butter in a large bowl. Add spaghetti and toss to coat evenly.
Prepare a baking dish. Put half of the spaghetti mixture on the dish. Add half of the cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella and half of the meat sauce on top of the spaghetti mixture. Repeat the layers. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned, 20-25 minutes.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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Elevate your baked spaghetti by paying attention to the layers. The key to a memorable dish lies in the order of assembly. Start with a foundation of perfectly cooked spaghetti, allowing each strand to cradle the rich flavors that follow. The meat sauce comes next, generously coating the pasta in a savory embrace. Now, here's the secret: whisked eggs. They not only add moisture but act as the binding agent, ensuring that every bite holds together seamlessly. As you layer on the cheeses – Parmesan for a salty bite, mozzarella for gooey indulgence, and cottage cheese for a velvety touch – you're creating a symphony of textures. Remember, precision in layering is the maestro's touch that transforms a simple baked spaghetti into a culinary masterpiece. Enjoy!
