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Baked Spaghetti

Cheesy and creamy baked spaghetti coated in a delicious meat sauce. Less than 10 ingredients and only 45 minutes to make!

More spaghetti pasta recipes to try include spaghetti bolognese, spaghetti pesto and spaghetti and meatballs!

Baked spaghetti in white casserole dish.
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Homestyle Baked Spaghetti

This cheesy baked spaghetti is one of my favorite freezer meals. It’s super simple and perfect for busy weeknights. I also love chicken broccoli rice casserole, green chile enchiladas, Mexican lasagna and chicken pot pie.

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious comfort meal, this baked spaghetti (also known as spaghetti casserole) is perfect for you. It has 4 different kinds of cheese inside and is coated in a flavorful pasta sauce. It’s similar to lasagna and my favorite million dollar spaghetti but with a few small tweaks. Talk about delicious!

This is the perfect meal for family gatherings or to bring someone when they need a meal. We also make this occasionally when we have guests over. It makes a lot just like my easy baked mostaccioli!

My whole family loves this delicious baked pasta dish and requests it again and again. It’s definitely one of my kid’s favorite meals. We love serving this spaghetti with a big salad and homemade garlic bread or these easy breadsticks.

How to Make Baked Spaghetti

Collage showing how to make baked spaghetti.

Step 1: Brown the ground beef 

Add hamburger to a large pan and heat over medium-high heat. Break apart with a spoon, then add in onions. Cook until they become soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Then add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Cook meat until browned. S&P to taste, then add in Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Add sauce and simmer 

Add in spaghetti sauce and let simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the noodles 

Cook spaghetti noodles about 6 minutes, or until al dente. Do not overcook. Reserve 1 cup of water for pasta sauce and then drain. Add up to 1/2-1 cup of the water to the red sauce.

Step 4: Mix in remaining ingredients 

Once noodles are drained, add in the cream cheese and toss together. Once it begins to melt, add in the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Then toss together with the sauce. Then press into a greased 9×13″ pan.

Step 5: Bake in oven 

Add remaining mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and parmesan to the top of the casserole if desired. Then bake in the oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.

Baked spaghetti with mozzarella cheese on top.

Can I Freeze Spaghetti Casserole?

This recipe makes a lot, so most of the time I will freeze half of the spaghetti (before baking) to save for a busy day. Follow the simple instructions below to freeze and then thaw.

  • To freeze: Do not bake. Combine the sauce and noodles and then allow to cool completely. Once cooled, add to a freezer container and top with remaining cheese. Label with the date (I love these freezer labels), then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To thaw: Remove from freezer and place in refrigerator. Let thaw overnight, then cook in the oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.
Spaghetti casserole in white dish.

If you love easy Italian recipes try my easy spaghetti with meat sauce, baked ziti or baked chicken parmesan recipe next!

More Pasta Dishes

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baked spaghetti being dished out of pan

Baked Spaghetti

5 from 14 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Cheesy and creamy baked spaghetti coated in a delicious meat sauce. Less than 10 ingredients and only 45 minutes to make!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey , or Italian sausage
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 24 ounce jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 12 ounces thin spaghetti noodles
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • ½ cup cottage cheese , can sub ricotta cheese or sour cream
  • cup grated parmesan cheese , divided
  • 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional: Fresh basil, S&P, Italian seasoning

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
    • Add hamburger to a large pan and heat over medium-high heat. Break apart with a spoon. Add onions and cook until they become soft (about 3-5 min). Then add garlic and cook a minute longer. Cook meat until browned. Salt and pepper to taste. Add in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning if desired.
    • Add in spaghetti sauce and let simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
    • Cook spaghetti noodles al dente, about 6 minutes. Do not overcook. Reserve 1 cup of water for pasta sauce and then drain. Add up to 1/2-1 cup of the water to the red sauce.
    • When the noodles are drained, add in the cream cheese and toss together. Once it has started to melt, add in the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Then toss together with the sauce. Then press into the pan.
    • Add remaining mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and parmesan to the top if desired.
    • Bake for 30-40 minutes.

    Notes

    • For a thinner sauce, add in 1/2 cup of the pasta water before simmering.
    • To freeze: Do not bake. Combine sauce and noodles and then cool completely. Then add to a freezer container and top with remaining cheese. Label with the date, then store in freezer for up to 3 months.
    • To thaw: Let thaw in the fridge overnight, then cook in the oven according to directions. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 731mg | Potassium: 637mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 708IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Baked spaghetti being dished out of pan.

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