Description
Spaghetti casserole brings comfort and flavor to hectic weeknight dinners with minimal preparation. Cheesy layers of pasta, ground beef, and marinara sauce create a satisfying meal that hungry families will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or sausage)
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (226 grams) mozzarella cheese for topping
- 1 cup (226 grams) ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C), ensuring an evenly heated cooking environment.
- Immerse spaghetti in generously salted boiling water, cooking until pasta reaches tender yet firm al dente texture. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into small crumbles until no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease through thorough draining.
- Integrate marinara sauce with cooked meat, allowing flavors to meld during a gentle 5-minute simmer.
- Create a creamy cheese blend by whisking ricotta with egg, incorporating mozzarella, Italian herbs, and seasoning until smooth and well-combined.
- Thoroughly coat spaghetti with meat-infused sauce in a spacious mixing bowl, transferring half the mixture into a prepared baking dish.
- Spread the entire cheese mixture evenly across the initial pasta layer, then crown with remaining sauced spaghetti.
- Generously scatter additional mozzarella across the top, creating a tempting golden cheese surface.
- Shield dish with aluminum foil, baking for 25 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Remove foil, continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and edges become deliciously crispy.
- Allow casserole to rest and settle for 10 minutes, enabling easier serving and flavor integration.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook spaghetti just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfect texture throughout the dish.
- Meat Management: Choose lean ground beef or turkey to reduce excess fat and create a lighter, healthier version of the classic casserole.
- Cheese Customization: Swap ricotta with cottage cheese for a lower-fat alternative or use plant-based cheese to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making it ideal for meal prep and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg