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Unlock the Ultimate Comfort Food: Your Guide to Easy Baked Spaghetti

Unlock the Ultimate Comfort Food: Your Guide to Easy Baked Spaghetti
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Easy Baked Spaghetti

This baked spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food! Tender pasta tossed with savory ground beef, garlic, and marinara sauce, then topped with a golden, cheesy crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound uncooked spaghetti

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • ½ medium onion, chopped

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 cups marinara sauce (about 32 oz.)

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third.

  2. Cook pasta: Boil a salted pot of water and cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  3. Cook beef mixture:

    • In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes over medium-high heat. If needed, add 1 tablespoon olive oil for extra fat.

    • Cook until beef is browned and onions are softened (~10 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.

    • Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Pour the beef mixture over the spaghetti and toss to coat evenly. Smooth into an even layer in the baking dish.

  5. Add cheese and bake: Top with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Optional: broil 2–3 minutes to get a golden, bubbly cheese crust.

  6. Serve: Let the baked spaghetti rest 5–10 minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Cheese shortcut: Use a pre-blended mozzarella/cheddar mix to save time, but freshly grated cheese gives a richer flavor.

  • Sauce tip: 4 cups marinara is roughly one 24 oz jar plus a splash from another. Adjust to your desired sauciness.

  • Make-ahead: Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://biteseason.com/unlock-the-ultimate-comfort-food-your-guide-to-easy-baked-spaghetti-2/

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