Description
A cozy, filling baked spaghetti dish that holds together beautifully and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters with its cheesy top.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the pasta and sauce
- 12 ounces Spaghetti (Use regular or thin spaghetti; avoid angel hair.)
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce (Store-bought is fine.)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (Optional but recommended for richness.)
- 2 Eggs (Helps bind the noodles.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded (Use pre shredded or freshly grated.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper (Adjust to taste.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (If available.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil spaghetti until just shy of al dente, then drain well. Let it sit in the colander for a minute.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook diced onion until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in marinara sauce and optional tomato paste. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, then mix in Parmesan cheese. Add the warm drained spaghetti and toss to combine.
Layering
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Layer half of the spaghetti mixture, half of the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering and finish with remaining cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for about 25 to 35 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. Optionally, broil for 1 to 2 minutes for extra browning.
- Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.
Notes
For variations, ground turkey or Italian sausage can be used. To make it vegetarian, replace beef with sautéed mushrooms or vegetables. This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
