Description
A comforting baked spaghetti dish featuring layers of pasta, savory ground beef, and rich cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 egg (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the spaghetti in salted water until it’s al dente, then drain it.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and ground beef until the beef is browned. Be sure to drain any excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the egg (if using).
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti, half of the meat sauce, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.
- Once done, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can garnish with parsley or extra Parmesan if you like!
Notes
For added flavor, consider incorporating chopped bell peppers or mushrooms into the meat sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian