Marian's Spaghetti Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Marian's Spaghetti Casserole, a hearty and flavorful twist on traditional baked pasta. This family-friendly recipe layers perfectly al dente spaghetti with a rich, homemade meat sauce, a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, and a gooey, golden topping. Highlighted by aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a touch of Italian seasoning, this casserole delivers a robust flavor that’s balanced with a hint of sweetness from the crushed tomatoes and sugar. Simple to prepare and baked to perfection in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a crisp salad for a complete, satisfying meal that's sure to become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 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 ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Remove any excess grease.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth.

Step 7

Spread a small amount of the meat sauce (about 1/2 cup) on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

Layer half of the cooked spaghetti over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the spaghetti and top with half of the remaining meat sauce.

Step 9

Repeat the layers: spaghetti, ricotta cheese mixture, and meat sauce.

Step 10

Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 11

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

Step 12

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

Step 13

Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2476.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3601.0

Total Fat 218.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 782.4mg	0%
Sodium 7504.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 210.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.5g	0%
Total Sugars 50.3g
Protein 221.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 4164.7mg	0%
Iron 22.9mg	0%
Potassium 4889.5mg	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: 53.2%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 22.8%