Cheesy Spaghetti Bake

Dive into the comforting indulgence of a Cheesy Spaghetti Bake, a family-favorite recipe that combines classic Italian flavors with an irresistible cheesy twist. Layers of tender spaghetti tossed in hearty marinara sauce with seasoned ground beef are nestled between dollops of creamy ricotta and topped with gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan. This baked pasta dish features an easy-to-follow method, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. With a golden, bubbly cheese crust and just the right hint of garlic and Italian seasoning, this oven-baked casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and watch as your family comes back for seconds! Keywords: cheesy spaghetti bake, baked pasta, family dinner recipe, comfort food, Italian-inspired.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 450 grams ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Mix well to form a cheesy mixture.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom.

Step 8

Add the cooked spaghetti to the remaining meat sauce in the skillet and toss to thoroughly coat the noodles.

Step 9

Layer half of the spaghetti mixture into the baking dish. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture on top in dollops and spread it out gently. Repeat with the remaining spaghetti mixture and ricotta mixture.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Step 11

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Uncover the dish and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Step 14

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2339.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3631.9

Total Fat 228.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 101.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 905.1mg	0%
Sodium 6691.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 185.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.2g	0%
Total Sugars 27.7g
Protein 213.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 3733.9mg	0%
Iron 20.2mg	0%
Potassium 2029.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.3%

Protein: 23.3%

Carbs: 20.3%