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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

It's packed with hearty meat sauce and lots of cheese!

By Ree DrummondPublished: Sep 10, 2024
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillHalf Star
4.5
2 Ratings
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pioneer woman baked spaghetti
Ryan Liebe
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr

When I think of comfort food a big heaping plate of pasta always comes to mind. (I'm looking at you, Chicken Spaghetti!) I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love pasta! This baked spaghetti is one of the easiest yet tastiest creations I've made yet. It's sure to please any picky eaters in your life (it's like a mash-up of lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce). It's perfect to bring to a potluck and is easy to double or triple to serve a big crowd. You could mix it up and do half ground beef and half Italian sausage, or even ground chicken or ground turkey. I like to top mine with some extra parmesan cheese, too!

Is baked spaghetti the same as lasagna?

Baked spaghetti and lasagna have some similar ingredients but they aren't exactly the same. Lasagna uses wide, flat lasagna noodles while this baked spaghetti uses spaghetti noodles. Lasagna also has more layers, which this baked spaghetti is a mixed up into one gooey casserole.

How do you keep baked spaghetti from drying out?
The key to keeping your baked spaghetti nice and saucy is to follow the ratio of pasta to sauce and also to not over-bake it! When reheating in the oven, I suggest covering with foil so it doesn't dry out too much.

Do you rinse the noodles for baked spaghetti?
No! It's best not rinse your noodles after you drain them because they are covered in a nice starchy coating that helps the sauce thicken when you mix it all up.

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp.

    salted butter, plus more for the baking dish

  • 1 tsp.

    kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 lb.

    spaghetti

  • 1 lb.

    ground beef

  • 1/2 tsp.

    garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp.

    onion powder

  • 1/4 tsp.

    red pepper flakes

  • 1

    32-ounce jar marinara sauce

  • 1 cup

    ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups

    shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1/4 cup

    grated parmesan cheese

  • 1/4 cup

    fresh basil, torn

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 400˚. Butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside. 
    2. Step 2Melt the butter in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef, 1 teaspoon salt, the garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. 
    3. Step 3Stir the marinara sauce into the beef, bring to a simmer and cook about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, then stir in the cooked spaghetti and ricotta. Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the mozzarella and parmesan on top and bake until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Top with the basil.
Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Beef Stroganoff
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Sausage and Kale Baked Pasta
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