Description
This Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti combines tender spaghetti with a savory beef marinara, topped with a generous blend of Italian cheeses and baked to golden perfection. A comforting, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (93% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 (32-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onion, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sauté until onion is translucent.
- Stir in garlic paste and brown sugar, cooking for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Combine cooked spaghetti with the beef marinara mixture in a large baking dish.
- Top with shredded Italian cheese blend, cheddar cheese, and parmesan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use your favorite marinara sauce or homemade sauce for best results.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based meat.
- Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg