Here’s a tasty and easy Spaghetti Casserole recipe that’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (about 225 g) spaghetti
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for creaminess)
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions
1. Cook the Spaghetti:
- Boil spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet.
- Sauté onions until translucent, add garlic, cook 1 minute.
- Add ground meat, cook until browned.
- Stir in marinara sauce and Italian herbs. Simmer for 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, meat sauce, and ricotta if using. Mix well.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it cool 5 minutes before serving.
This casserole is easy to tweak — add veggies like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition, or use a different cheese blend for more flavor.
If you want, I can also give a quick one-pan version that skips boiling and bakes everything together in one dish. Do you want that version too?
