Straightforward Baked Spaghetti is the right weeknight dinner recipe that’s each hearty and flavorful. Made with layers of pasta, savory marinara sauce, floor beef, and a mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, this comforting dish is a crowd-pleaser. Superb for households or gatherings, this basic baked pasta recipe is fast to arrange and easy to customise together with your favourite components. Whether or not you’re planning a comfy meal or prepping forward for the week, baked spaghetti is a flexible choice that matches any event.
Elements:
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound raw spaghetti
- 1 pound lean floor beef
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon pink pepper flakes (non-obligatory)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper, to style
For the Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Put together the Pasta:
Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the rack within the high third.
Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook dinner the spaghetti for two minutes lower than the package deal instructions advocate. Drain the pasta and switch it to a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Cook dinner the Beef Combination:
In a skillet, mix the bottom beef, onion, oregano, and pink pepper flakes over medium-high warmth. In case your floor beef may be very lean, add a tablespoon of olive oil to forestall sticking. Cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till the meat is browned and the onion is softened (about 10 minutes). Drain extra fats if wanted.
Stir within the minced garlic and prepare dinner for 1 minute till aromatic. Add the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and prepare dinner for one more 2-3 minutes till heated by way of.
3. Assemble the Dish:
Pour the meat combination over the cooked spaghetti within the casserole dish. Toss to mix, guaranteeing the pasta is properly coated. Unfold it into a fair layer.
4. Add the Cheese and Bake:
Sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses evenly excessive. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. For a golden-brown crust, broil for 1-2 minutes, protecting an in depth eye to keep away from burning.
5. Relaxation and Serve:
Let the baked spaghetti sit for 5-10 minutes to set. Slice into squares with a spatula and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Household Favourite: A hearty and comforting dish good for busy weeknights or potlucks.
- Tacky Perfection: The trio of cheeses creates a wealthy, gooey topping.
- Straightforward to Make: Minimal prep with easy, on a regular basis components.
Ideas
- Pasta Cook dinner Time: Undercook the spaghetti barely to forestall it from turning into mushy after baking.
- Draining Fats: In case your floor beef releases a variety of grease, drain most of it to keep away from an oily sauce.
- Broiling: Broil for a golden crust, however preserve an in depth eye to keep away from burning the cheese.
Variations and Substitutions
- Protein Options: Swap the meat for floor turkey, hen, or sausage.
- Vegetarian Choice: Exchange the meat with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free spaghetti and guarantee your marinara sauce is gluten-free.
- Cheese Customization: Strive Monterey Jack, provolone, or your favourite cheese mix.
FAQs
Can I make this dish forward of time?
Sure, assemble the dish and refrigerate it (unbaked) for as much as 24 hours. Bake it when prepared, including 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
How do I retailer leftovers?
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat within the oven or microwave.
Can I freeze baked spaghetti?
Sure, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.
Serving and Solutions
- Aspect Dishes: Pair with garlic bread, a Caesar salad, or roasted greens for a whole meal.
- Toppings: Garnish with recent parsley or basil for a pop of coloration and taste.
- Leftovers: Flip leftovers into a straightforward lunch by reheating within the microwave or oven.
Straightforward Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Elements
-
For the Pasta:
-
1 pound raw spaghetti
-
1 pound lean floor beef
-
½ medium onion, finely chopped
-
½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
-
½ teaspoon pink pepper flakes (non-obligatory)
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
4 cups marinara sauce
-
Salt and pepper, to style
-
For the Topping:
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Put together the Pasta:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the rack within the high third.
- Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook dinner the spaghetti for two minutes lower than the package deal instructions advocate. Drain the pasta and switch it to a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook dinner the Beef Combination:
- In a skillet, mix the bottom beef, onion, oregano, and pink pepper flakes over medium-high warmth. In case your floor beef may be very lean, add a tablespoon of olive oil to forestall sticking. Cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till the meat is browned and the onion is softened (about 10 minutes). Drain extra fats if wanted.
- Stir within the minced garlic and prepare dinner for 1 minute till aromatic. Add the marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper, and prepare dinner for one more 2-3 minutes till heated by way of.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Pour the meat combination over the cooked spaghetti within the casserole dish. Toss to mix, guaranteeing the pasta is properly coated. Unfold it into a fair layer.
- Add the Cheese and Bake:
- Sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses evenly excessive. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. For a golden-brown crust, broil for 1-2 minutes, protecting an in depth eye to keep away from burning.
- Relaxation and Serve:
- Let the baked spaghetti sit for 5-10 minutes to set. Slice into squares with a spatula and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
