Why would you prepare baked spaghetti rather than good old spaghetti with ragu? It’s really about that gooey cheese topping on top!
A delicious baked spaghetti casserole packed with melting cheese is ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or a weeknight meal.
Recipe ingredients
- One package (16 ounces) spaghetti
- Two big eggs
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- One jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
- 5 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
- One medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups of cottage cheese (4% is ideal)
- 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh basil, optional
Cooking instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You should cook spaghetti according to the package guidelines for al dente. Meanwhile, sauté beef and onion in a large pan over medium heat, breaking the beef into small pieces, until the meat is no longer pink and onion is soft, 6-8 minutes; drain. Combine spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt in a separate bowl; put aside.
- Whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Drain spaghetti and stir with egg mixture to coat.
- It would be best to place half of the spaghetti mixture in a buttered 13×9-inch or 3-quart baking dish. Half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese should be placed on top. Repeat the layers. Put the baking dish in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake covered for 40 minutes. Afterward, uncover and continue baking for 20-25 minutes, or until well cooked. Allow 15 minutes to stand before serving. Sprinkle with basil, if desired.
Recipe variations
While cooking the beef mixture, add one tablespoon of minced garlic. Add three tablespoons rinsed and drained capers, three finely chopped anchovy fillets, 1 cup chopped fresh black olives, and 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes after draining. Continue with the recipe as suggested, garnishing with more olives and capers just before serving.
Paring dishes
There are a plethora of meat combinations that go nicely with pasta. You may easily substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and try ground sausage for a little hotter and more delicious alternative.
Consider an Italian dessert that pairs nicely with spaghetti, such as traditional tiramisu, cannoli, or berry panna cotta. Alternatively, simply make a shot of espresso and serve alongside almond biscotti.
Storage instructions
Baked spaghetti is a quick and easy meal that you can store in the fridge for up to two days. To store baked spaghetti, cover with foil first, then aluminum wrap or plastic wrap-dampened paper towel.
Nutritional value
Per 1-1/4 cups:
Calories: 526
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 31g
Cholesterol: 127mg
Sugars: 9g
Fat: 24g
Saturated fat: 13g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 881mg
Final thoughts
Baked spaghetti is a classic dish, and this article covers the best way you can prepare it. To get the latest updates on our recipes and tips, make sure to bookmark our Food page and check in daily for new recipes.
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