Spaghetti Casserole

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Spaghetti Casserole is comforting, hearty, and filled with creamy cheese and a homemade beef sauce. Plus, it comes together easily and quickly!

Spaghetti casserole in a red casserole dish.

Is there anything better than a saucy and cheesy plate of pasta? Not much, if you ask me! Recipes like my Sausage Pasta Pomodoro and this Lentil Bolognese are both staples in my house — and this Spaghetti Casserole is one of my more recent comfort food creations that I just love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I grew up on casseroles, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized why: they are so easy to throw together and are a great way to ensure that no one walks away from the table hungry.

This spaghetti bake is no different. It’s made with pantry ingredients (my jam, we know this!) and is reminiscent of spaghetti with a bolognese sauce — but better. Thanks to a healthy helping of three different types of cheese, the results are ooey, gooey, and delicious.

You’ll create a quick sauce and pre-cook the pasta, then all you’ll have to do is assemble the rest of the ingredients. Pop it in the oven and you’re done!

Ingredients Needed

Spaghetti casserole ingredients in various bowls.

Ingredient Notes

Spaghetti: You could also use a different type of noodles if you’re in a crunch. It’s always best to use what you have on hand.
Ground Beef: The sauce for your easy baked spaghetti casserole recipe is made with beef and tomatoes. Browning the meat before you bake it will give the dish even more flavor.
Cheese: This spaghetti bake features three different types: mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan!
Eggs: The added protein from the eggs makes this dish hearty and filling.

How to Make Spaghetti Casserole

Brown the meat. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Place the ground beef in a large skillet on medium heat to brown it. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the skillet, then set it aside. Remove the fat from the pan, but don’t rinse or clean it.
Sauté the onions. Return the skillet to your stovetop and heat the olive oil. Add the onions and sauté over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant, or about 2 minutes.

Spaghetti casserole process steps 1 and 2.

Heat the sauce. Add the tomato pasta sauce to the pan along with the Italian seasoning and water. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow it to cook for 10 minutes. Add the browned meat to the mix and stir to combine.
Cook the pasta in salted water. In a pot, add 2 tablespoons of salt to 4 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add your spaghetti and cook until al dente or 10-12 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.

Baked spaghetti bolognese process steps 3 and 4.

Add the meat back. Return the meat to the sauce and let it simmer for 1 to 2 more minutes.
Coat the spaghetti. Add the melted butter and eggs to the spaghetti and toss to coat.

Spaghetti casserole process steps 5 and 6.

Assemble the casserole. Spread 1 cup of the beef sauce on the bottom of your casserole dish making sure to spread it all the way to the edges.
Continue to arrange. Then layer with half of the noodles. Add half of the remaining sauce so that the spaghetti is completely covered.

Process steps 7 and 8 for making spaghetti casserole.

Add the cheese. Spoon the ricotta cheese on top, then sprinkle on half of the mozzarella. Layer the remaining pasta, then the sauce, and then the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake. Cover your Spaghetti Casserole with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15-20 more minutes. Let the casserole set for about 10 minutes before slicing it. Serve with Parmesan and a bit of fresh basil on top!

Process steps 9 and 10 for making baked spaghetti casserole.

Storage and or Freezing Instructions

Make-ahead instructions: You can make this spaghetti casserole recipe up to 2 days in advance. Simply assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Then, follow the baking instructions.
Freezing instructions: Assemble your spaghetti bake and cover tightly in tin foil before placing it in the freezer, where it will keep for 3-4 months. Allow it to defrost in the fridge overnight and bake as instructed.
Storage instructions: Store this easy baked spaghetti casserole recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Easy baked spaghetti on a plate topped with fresh basil.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Make it vegetarian. Use bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach instead of meat.
Use a different type of meat. Replace the beef with ground turkey or chicken, or even Italian sausage.
Serving suggestions. Serve with your favorite salad and garlic bread to really round out this meal.

FAQS

What meat is best for spaghetti?

I like using ground beef for this easy baked spaghetti, but you could also replace it with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage, as mentioned above under recipe tips.

Do you drain meat before adding spaghetti sauce?

Only very slightly. Use a slotted wooden spoon to remove the beef from your skillet — much of the flavor is in the fat, so you don’t want to remove all of it.