Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Here’s a complete recipe for Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce—hearty, cheesy, and perfect for a family dinner

🍝 Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (15 oz / 425g) tomato sauce

• 1 can (14 oz / 400g) diced tomatoes

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the spaghetti and assembly:

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup ricotta or cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti:

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the meat sauce:

   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft.

   • Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

   • Add ground meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

   • Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.

3. Assemble the baked spaghetti:

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, combine half of the cooked spaghetti with half of the meat sauce.

   • Spread dollops of ricotta or cream cheese over the top (if using).

   • Layer the remaining spaghetti and meat sauce.

   • Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.

4. Bake:

   • Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.

   • Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

5. Serve:

   • Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.

💡 Tips:

• Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives to the meat sauce for extra flavor.

• You can prepare it ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready.

I can also give a creamy baked version with a béchamel or cream cheese sauce for extra richness if you want. Do you want that version?