Description
This Easy Baked Spaghetti is the ultimate cheesy comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights. Made with lean ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheddar cheese, this family-friendly pasta bake is hearty, simple, and completely satisfying.
Ingredients
-
¾ pound lean ground beef
-
1 (16 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
-
1 pound spaghetti
-
1 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese
-
Salt, for boiling pasta
-
Optional: parsley for garnish
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
-
Add spaghetti sauce to the skillet. Stir and let simmer while pasta cooks.
-
Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain well.
-
Combine pasta with meat sauce and mix until fully coated.
-
Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
-
Top with shredded Cheddar cheese.
-
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve warm.
Notes
-
Swap Cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or a cheese blend.
-
Add sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to bulk it up.
-
Want creamier results? Mix in a spoonful of cream cheese before baking.
-
Freezer-friendly! Assemble, freeze unbaked, and thaw overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg