Baked spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food classic: tender strands of pasta tossed in savory meat sauce, then baked under a blanket of bubbling, golden cheese until hot and cozy straight from the oven. Every bite delivers that lasagna-style satisfaction with far less effort, making it a perfect go-to for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd. This easy baked spaghetti recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, comes together in under an hour, and is endlessly customizable, so you can adapt it to your family’s tastes without sacrificing flavor.
Why this baked spaghetti belongs in your rotation
This baked spaghetti casserole checks all the boxes for a reliable, repeat-worthy dinner.
- Ready in about an hour with straightforward, beginner-friendly steps.
- Uses budget-friendly ingredients like spaghetti, ground beef, marinara, and cheese.
- Kid-approved, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for family dinners or potlucks.
- Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly, so you can bake once and enjoy twice.
- Easy to customize with extra veggies, different meats, or more cheese.
Ingredients for classic baked spaghetti
- 16 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¾ cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 48 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Notes and substitutions
- Pasta: Standard spaghetti is classic, but fettuccine, linguine, or thin spaghetti also work with similar cook times.
- Protein: Swap ground beef for turkey, Italian sausage, or a plant-based crumble; or bulk it up with mushrooms and peppers for a veggie-forward version.
- Sauce: Jarred marinara keeps things fast; homemade sauce or crushed tomatoes with herbs add a fresher, customizable flavor.
Step-by-step: how to make baked spaghetti
- Preheat the oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C) so your casserole bakes evenly and the cheese melts perfectly. - Cook the pasta
Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes, then drain well.
Pro tip: Reserve a cup of pasta water in case you want to loosen the mixture later. - Sauté the onion
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent. - Brown the meat
Add ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, then drain excess grease. - Add garlic and sauce
Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds, then add marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly. - Combine spaghetti and sauce
Toss the drained spaghetti with the meat sauce and ¼ cup of Parmesan until everything is well coated.
If it looks dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water. - Assemble the casserole
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the spaghetti mixture inside, then top with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan. - Bake until bubbly
Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden.
For a slightly crisp top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Serving ideas, storage, and reheating
Serve baked spaghetti with garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete, comforting meal. It’s great for:delish+1
- Weeknight dinners when you want something cheesy and filling.
- Potlucks and family gatherings thanks to its casserole format and easy portioning.iheartnaptime+1
Storage and reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.[allrecipes]
- Freeze: Wrap tightly or place in a freezer-safe container for 2–3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven, covered, until heated through, or microwave individual portions for a quick lunch.
FAQ-style SEO notes you can reuse
- Yes, you can assemble baked spaghetti a day ahead and bake just before serving.
- Whole wheat spaghetti works well if you want extra fiber and a nuttier flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and use sautéed veggies or plant-based crumbles.
- Any good-quality marinara or spaghetti sauce works; choose low-sugar options for a lighter version.