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+ servings

Baked Spaghetti

A comforting and hearty baked spaghetti dish layered with rich marinara sauce, gooey cheese, and savory ground beef, perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Spaghetti
  • 8 oz spaghetti uncooked
  • 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz can
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layer
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
For Topping
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Method
 

Prepare the Spaghetti
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This helps to flavor the pasta as it cooks.
  2. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Once cooked, drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and the beaten egg. Mix until well combined. This will create a creamy layer in the baked spaghetti.
Assemble the Baked Spaghetti
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti on the bottom.
  3. Spread half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture.
  4. Top the assembled dish with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese for a golden, bubbly topping.
Bake the Spaghetti
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  3. Let the baked spaghetti cool for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added flavor and nutrition.

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