Baked Spaghetti is an easy, cheesy, and cozy family dinner for any night of the week. Spaghetti noodles, seasoned meat sauce, and lots of cheese meld together in the oven, turning it into something my kids love way more than the classic (less cheesy) version. I’m going to show you exactly how to make baked spaghetti so you can see just how easy this comfort meal is!
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Cheesy and easy are two of my favorite words when it comes to food, and I love anything that I can make in a pinch for dinner during a chaotic week. So this easy recipe for baked spaghetti is exactly what I need during a busier season of life, and my family always loves it.
Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti
- Spaghetti: Spaghetti noodles are recommended for this casserole, but you can use any kind of pasta you love. Just be sure to cook the noodles to al dente for best results. If they’re too soft before baking, they’ll become mushy and lack texture.
- Ground Chuck: A bit fattier and tastier than ground beef. Simply skip the beef for a meatless version, or swap in ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option.
- Olive Oil + Butter: Add richness and help the beef cook without burning.
- Onion + Garlic: Add an earthy and mildly sweet flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite brand or make your own!
- Fresh Basil: Adds a pop of color and classic Italian flavor.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and Parmesan are classic choices.
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Make it Ahead of Time
Even though prep for this recipe is pretty quick, I’m going to tell you how to make this baked spaghetti ahead of time too, so you can just pop it in the oven before dinner. It’s so much easier when I don’t have to think about cooking when everyone is already hungry!
Follow the steps in the recipe card as directed and transfer the mixture to a baking dish (up to Step 8). Instead of baking right away, cover and store the spaghetti in the fridge until ready to eat. Let it sit out on the counter while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You can make it up to 48 hours ahead of time, or freeze for 2-3 months.
How to Store and Reheat
Store this baked spaghetti recipe covered with aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 30-40 minutes, or until warmed through.
Freeze this spaghetti bake tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 4 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for about 1 hour.
Serving Suggestions
I keep my baked spaghetti dinner menu simple because I know the kids are just going to fill up on the cheesy pasta. But I usually add an Olive Garden salad or Caesar salad, and freshly baked garlic bread. It’s my family’s favorite meal every time!
5-Star ReviewS
“This was a hit with my family for dinner! And I loved how easy it was to make!”
– Jocelyn
“I love how easy this is to make, and the leftovers are just as delicious as when I first made it!” -Julie
Baked Spaghetti Recipe
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry spaghetti (1 box)
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (⅛ stick)
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce store-bought or homemade (1 jar)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil divided
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the spaghetti, per package directions, to al dente and drain.16 ounces dry spaghetti
- While the spaghetti cooks, brown the beef in a large skillet set over medium heat. Break the beef up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.1 pound ground chuck
- Drain the beef and wipe out the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the oil and butter. Add onions and cook until onion has softened and is translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the beef, marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon chopped basil, and ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.24 ounces marinara sauce, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the meat sauce mixture and stir until spaghetti is well coated.
- Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese.1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or until cheese has melted and the spaghetti is hot throughout.
- Garnish with the remaining chopped basil and serve.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Spaghetti: Cook the noodles to al dente for best results. If the noodles are super soft before baking, they’ll become pretty mushy and lack texture.
- Baking Pan: Use a 9×13 inch baking pan, or a similar equivalent (anything around 3 quarts is great).
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian baked spaghetti, simply omit the meat from the sauce.
Nutrition Information
How to Make Baked Spaghetti Step by Step
Cook the Pasta: Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Then cook 16 ounces of dry spaghetti al dente, per package directions, and drain.
Brown the Beef: While the spaghetti cooks, brown 1 pound of ground chuck in a large skillet set over medium heat. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Drain the Beef: Drain the beef and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel to remove grease.
Cook the Onions: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Then add 1 diced yellow onion and cook until it has softened and becomes translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the Garlic: Next, add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Combine Meat Sauce: Add the browned beef, 24 ounces of marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon of chopped basil, and ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until everything is well combined, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the meat sauce mixture, and stir until spaghetti is well coated.
Bake the Spaghetti: Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle with 1 cup of freshly shredded mozzarella and remaining ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese has melted and the spaghetti is hot throughout. Garnish with the remaining chopped basil to serve.
More Spaghetti Recipes to Try
Nope! Lasagna uses lasagna noodles and has a ricotta layer included.
Yes. Cook the spaghetti to al dente, following the package instructions. Combine this cooked spaghetti with the sauce before baking.
Definitely. Instead of ground beef, try ground chicken, turkey, or Italian sausage.
I don’t recommend it – if covered while in the oven, the noodles will steam instead of truly bake, so you’ll end up with a pretty soggy baked spaghetti casserole.
Cooked spaghetti will stay fresh for about 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
Prepare it ahead of time (through step #8), place it in a freezer-safe dish with a tight fitting lid, and freeze for 2-3 months. To bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator, then place it in the oven as instructed to fully bake through.
Got this in the oven right now. Can’t wait to try it!
Can this be frozen to eat later?
Sure can!
Can I prepare this in the am then bake it later for dinner? Thank you!
We don’t see why not!
I have done it before. And I just did about 10 minutes ago. I normally make it as soon as I can in the mor
ning. Then I refrigerate it till about 30 minutes before dinner. That way I can make garlic bread while it bakes.
Really nice recipe. Thanks for sharing. Also see https://www.beckandbulow.com
Dinner party for ten this evening. I know they’ll love it!
Great idea for a dinner party!
Good recipe. But I like more sauce so I add more.
Definitely modify to your liking!