Ultimate Baked Spaghetti with Minced Beef & Bacon

Cheesy, meaty comfort food with a crispy top—like lasagna’s easier cousin!

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

500g (1 lb) minced beef (or half beef, half pork)
150g (5 oz) bacon, diced
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, grated (for sweetness)
800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
125ml (½ cup) beef stock
Salt & black pepper to taste

For the Pasta & Cheese Layer:

400g (14 oz) spaghetti
250g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella
50g (½ cup) grated Parmesan
250g (1 cup) ricotta or cottage cheese (optional, for creaminess)
Fresh basil or parsley, to garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon & Beef

In a large pan, fry bacon until crispy. Remove, leaving fat in the pan.
Add onion, garlic, and carrot, cooking until soft (~5 mins).
Add minced beef, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Simmer the Sauce

Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, herbs, sugar, stock, salt, and pepper.
Add cooked bacon back in. Simmer 15-20 mins until thickened.

3. Cook Pasta & Assemble

Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
Boil spaghetti until al dente (1-2 mins less than package instructions). Drain.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix pasta with ¾ of the meat sauce.
Dollop ricotta over top (if using), then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.

4. Bake & Broil

Cover with foil and bake 20 mins.
Uncover, broil 2-3 mins until golden and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh herbs.

Serving Suggestions

🍞 Garlic Bread: Perfect for mopping up sauce!
🥗 Green Salad: Balances the richness.
🌶 Extra Kick: Serve with chili oil or fresh chili.

Pro Tips

🧀 Cheesy Upgrade: Add a layer of provolone under the mozzarella.
🍝 Make Ahead: Assemble unbaked, refrigerate overnight, then bake (+10 mins).
🔥 Crispy Edges: For extra crunch, bake in a cast-iron skillet.

Hearty, saucy, and packed with flavor—this is family dinner gold!

Want a lighter version (turkey mince, zucchini noodles)? Or a spicy arrabbiata twist? 😊