We had a fun debate over cheese when I made this Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti. David thought the shredded sharp cheddar cheese was enough, but I went for both the Italian cheese blend and sharp cheddar. Spoiler: it made the dish a winner, and the whole thing disappeared in no time.
Cooking the spaghetti just under the package directions keeps it from getting mushy. This way, it holds its shape and absorbs the marinara sauce without losing texture, leading to a better dish overall.
Ingredients in Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
This dish is all about balance—rich beef, melty cheese, and hearty spaghetti come together for a satisfying meal. Here’s what you need to make it happen:
- Olive Oil: Helps brown the beef and onions, adding depth to the flavor.
- Ground Beef: Provides a hearty protein base. I recommend using 93% lean for the right balance of flavor and fat.
- Yellow Onion: Adds savory sweetness and depth. Chop it finely for even cooking.
- Italian Seasoning: Brings that classic Italian flavor to the dish. It’s a blend of herbs that works wonders here.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a bit of heat. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Always taste as you go to get it just right.
- Garlic Paste: Packs a punch of flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the acidity of the marinara sauce. Just a tablespoon does the trick.
- Marinara Sauce: The flavorful base that ties everything together.
- Spaghetti: The star of the show! Cook it just under the package directions for better texture.
- Italian Cheese Blend: Melty and creamy; it forms that golden crust on top.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds richness and enhances the cheesy goodness.
- Parmesan Cheese: For an extra cheesy finish. Use fresh grated for the best results.
How to Make Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
This dish comes together in about 45 minutes, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights. Once you see how easy it is to whip this up, it’ll become a staple at your dinner table.
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F. Make sure it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to cook. This helps the cheese melt and get that golden edge.
Cook Spaghetti: Bring a pot of salted water to a simmer. Cook the spaghetti for about 8-9 minutes, or until it’s just underdone. You want it to be firm; it’ll finish cooking in the dish.
Brown Beef: In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until it’s browned and slightly crisp.
Add Onions: Toss in chopped medium yellow onion and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Stir often until the onion is tender and translucent. This adds a nice sweetness to your beef mixture.
Mix Sauce: Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and season with Kosher salt and black pepper. Add garlic paste, brown sugar, and marinara sauce. Let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything’s well combined.
Combine Spaghetti: Add the drained spaghetti to the meat sauce and toss until it’s fully coated. You want every strand to soak up that flavorful sauce.
Transfer to Dish: Carefully pour the spaghetti mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly with a utensil, ensuring it’s nicely packed.
Add Cheese: In a bowl, mix shredded Italian cheese blend and grated parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this cheesy goodness over the top of the spaghetti.
Cook: Place the dish in the oven and cook until the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown. If you want an extra crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes. Let it cool for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Enjoy this meal with a simple salad or some garlic bread for a complete dinner!
Switch It Up: Easy Variations
Life’s busy, and sometimes you might want to change things up a bit. Here are some fun variations to make this Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti feel fresh:
Garnish with Parsley: Sprinkling some fresh chopped parsley on top adds a nice pop of color and a hint of freshness. It’s an easy way to make the dish feel special.
Serve with Catfish: In some Southern kitchens, baked spaghetti and catfish is a classic pairing. It’s a fun way to mix traditions and enjoy a hearty meal.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to freeze it, it’ll hold up for about three months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before sealing it up, so you don’t trap any moisture inside.
For reheating, I recommend putting it in the oven at 350°F. Cover it with foil to keep it from drying out, and heat until warmed through. If it feels a bit dry, add a splash of marinara sauce before reheating to keep it nice and moist.
What to Serve Alongside Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
This baked spaghetti is hearty and comforting, so pairing it with the right sides can really round out the meal. Here are a couple of ideas to elevate your dinner experience.
Perfect Side Dishes
- Garlic Bread: The crunchy, buttery slices are perfect for soaking up that rich marinara sauce. Plus, the garlic flavor adds a nice contrast to the cheesy dish.
Toppings & Garnishes
- Extra Fresh Grated Parmesan for Serving: A sprinkle of this on top adds a nice finishing touch. It complements the richness of the cheese and beef beautifully.
Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti for Cozy Family Dinners
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and then set aside while you prep the pasta and meat sauce.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions- but cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than the package directions. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven or deep sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot, gently swirl the pot to evenly coat the bottom. Add the ground beef and use a wooden utensil to break up the meat. Cook the ground beef, stirring often, until browned and slightly crisp, about 6-7 minutes.
- Add the onion and continue cooking along with the ground beef until the onion is tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season the meat mixture with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt/pepper to taste, and stir the mixture well to combine.
- Stir in the garlic paste, brown sugar, and jarred marinara sauce and stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer briefly for about 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat. Add the drained pasta and toss the pasta with the meat sauce until well combined and the pasta is coated.
- Carefully empty the pasta with meat sauce into the prepared baking dish and use a utensil to evenly distribute the pasta in the dish.
- In a bowl, combine the shredded cheeses along with the grated cheese and toss well to combine. Then evenly sprinkle the cheese over the pasta.
- Bake the spaghetti, uncovered, at 375°F for 20 minutes until the spaghetti is golden brown and the cheese topping is slightly bubbly and crisp. Feel free to broil for 1-2 minutes to get the topping extra crispy if you’d like! Let the spaghetti cool for 5-7 minutes before serving.
- Garnish the spaghetti with chopped parsley if desired. Use a spatula or tongs to dig into the spaghetti and serve portions immediately with extra fresh grated parmesan as desired. Enjoy!
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