Classic Baked Spaghetti

Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Classic Baked Spaghetti recipe, a hearty twist on traditional spaghetti that's sure to become a family favorite. Featuring layers of al dente pasta coated in a rich, savory meat sauce, a creamy blend of softened cream cheese and mozzarella, and a bubbly golden topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan, this dish perfectly balances flavors and textures. Enhanced with aromatic Italian seasoning, a hint of red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley, it's the perfect baked pasta recipe for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Ready in just an hour and serving six, this baked spaghetti is easy to make, irresistibly cheesy, and a must-try for pasta lovers everywhere!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet, stir to combine, and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step 8

Add the cooked spaghetti to the meat sauce and mix thoroughly to coat the pasta.

Step 9

Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 10

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer using a spatula.

Step 11

Top with the remaining half of the spaghetti mixture, spreading it out evenly.

Step 12

Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 13

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

Step 14

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 15

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.

Step 16

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious Classic Baked Spaghetti!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2243.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3903.0

Total Fat 263.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 122.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 788.2mg	0%
Sodium 6344.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 198.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 34.8g
Protein 189.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2507.2mg	0%
Iron 20.9mg	0%
Potassium 1979.5mg	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: 60.4%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 20.3%