Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Why This is The Best Baked Spaghetti Casserole!

My mom used to make this casserole often and actually, we never had spaghetti that wasn't baked. While everyone else in my neighborhood was having a bowl of pasta with sauce poured over the top, my mom was mixing pasta with her special Italian Meat Sauce and then baking it in a large round baking dish that was used for every casserole she ever made.

The inside of the casserole was hot, hearty, and every bit of the flavorful sauce was absorbed by the pasta. But it was the crispy edges that no one could resist and everyone got a serving that had some of that crispy deliciousness.

The beauty of this recipe is you can make it more than just one way. You can make it exactly as written with simple ingredients, or you can add more or less cheese, add aromatics like onion and garlic and veggies, omit the butter, or switch out the ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage, or even boost the herb flavorings by adding additional oregano or Italian seasoning.

You can also make it in advance, earlier on the day you want to serve it, or almost a week in advance.

But the best thing about Baked Spaghetti is this cozy casserole is fantastic to have after a tough day or a long week. It always feels like home cooking at its best.

So, let's cook!

Substitutions & Variations

• Use Your Favorite Cheese. You can substitute your favorite melting cheese for the mozzarella and the parmesan. Great choices are cheddar, cheddar jack, and Monterey jack.
• Add Your Favorite Veggies. You can add your favorite veggies either layered in the casserole or added to the sauce. Great choices are zucchini, eggplant, and even cauliflower. Some veggies hold a lot of water and should be par-cooked before layering them in the casserole.
• Substitute Ground Turkey or Italian Sausage. You can use your favorite ground meat or a blend of half Italian sausage and half ground beef.
• Double the Cheese. Pour half of the spaghetti into the baking dish and add an additional layer of shredded cheese. Then add the rest of the spaghetti and finish with the topping of cheese.
• Add Red Pepper Flakes. For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes toward the end of browning the ground beef.
• Budget Version. For a thriftier version omit the butter and the parmesan cheese.

How to Make a Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Step 1 - Prepare. Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C and grease a 13"x 9"x 3" baking or casserole dish with cooking spray.

Step 2 - Cook the Spaghetti. Boil the spaghetti to al dente according to the package directions in salted, boiling water. Reserve ⅔ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti and set it aside.

Step 3 - Make Meaty Marinara. In a large, deep skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Pour off the excess fat and stir in the marinara sauce and pasta cooking water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4 - Combine. Add the cooked spaghetti and butter. Let the butter melt and then mix everything together and pour the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Step 5 - Bake. Sprinkle the top with both cheeses and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot throughout and the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve!