Spaghetti Casserole
A flavorful, cheesy, and comforting spaghetti casserole made with rich marinara sauce, ground beef, and a gooey cheese topping.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Baking Dish (9x13 inches)
- Oven
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti about 3/4 of a standard box
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter option
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or mix of oregano and basil
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cheese and Binding
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese optional for extra creaminess
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese for topping
- 1 egg beaten, to help bind ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with the beaten egg and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add half of the spaghetti mixture to the baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese evenly over the top.
- Layer with half of the cooked meat sauce, then top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers: remaining spaghetti, remaining meat sauce, and top with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.