This Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Recipe is easy enough for weekdays and dressy enough for company. It serves 8 people and costs just $13.74 to make!
Do you love spaghetti? Me too. It’s a classic, right? Well, what if I told you, you could up your spaghetti game and take it from a good meal to an AMAZING meal? When I first made this recipe for my husband he said, “I never knew spaghetti could taste this good!” And it’s true! Baked spaghetti is a cheesy pasta lover’s dream come true.
It is kind of funny how this recipe came to be in my house. I was making spaghetti for dinner and didn’t quite get it done in time before we had to rush off for various activities. I did not want to leave it out and have the noodles dry out and the meat gets gross. So I quickly threw it into a baking dish and added cheese and other ingredients to it set the baking timer on the oven and ran out the door.
When we came home and pulled the new (to me) meal out of the oven it was AMAZING. The cheese on top was now a little crusty and the cheese throughout the layers of noodles, meat, and sauce bomb dot com!
The kids all loved it and asked what it was. I called it Baked Spaghetti because that’s literally what it was. It was not until a few years later when I saw Baked Spaghetti casserole recipes floating around Pinterest that I realized it was actually a thing. Now, when I ask the kids for their meal requests, they always ask for this casserole.
It makes a great weeknight meal for busy nights, a meal to take to a friend or a meal for having company over. Once you make this easy Baked Spaghetti recipe you will see just how easy it is and you too will have family and friends telling you they never knew spaghetti could taste this good!
Baked Spaghetti Recipe Questions Answered:
How do I cook spaghetti?
Follow these simple steps:
- Bring water to a boil in a pot. To ensure the pasta does not stick together you should use 4 quarts of water for every one pound of noodles.
- Add one tablespoon of salt to the water to help flavor the pasta.
- Add pasta noodles to the boiling water.
- Next, stir the pasta occasionally and cook for about 10-12 minutes.
- Then when you believe the pasta is ready, taste one piece to ensure it is not still hard.
- Finally, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
Can you freeze cooked baked spaghetti?
Yes! Bake the recipe as directed. Allow the dish to cool and then wrap with two layers of tin foil before placing it in the freezer.
How long do you bake frozen spaghetti?
You can place the frozen dish directly in the oven (assuming it is a heatproof dish) and bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, checking to ensure the center is baked through.
Can you make spaghetti ahead of time?
Absolutely! What a time saver for those busy days. You can cook the noodles up to a day in advance. The best way to keep them fresh is to place the cooked noodles in a large Ziploc bag and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Make sure to coat the noodles well. This helps them from drying out. No one likes dry and clumpy noodles!
How to get the kids involved with this recipe:
- Ages 2-3: Let them break the noodles in half. They can also help you whisk together butter, eggs, and Parmesan.
- Ages 4-5: Have them help you layer the baking dish with the various layers.
- Ages 6-8: Let them crack the eggs and make the egg mixture to then coat the noodles with.
- Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
- Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.
The Flavor and Recipe Variations:
- If you are looking for a healthier option substitute the ground beef for ground turkey.
- You can also add in some fresh veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Some of my kids do not like pasta sauce or ground beef so for my picky eaters I always leave a little of the noodles out of the Baked Spaghetti dish for them to eat.
What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti:
- Easy Garlic Bread
- 1-Hour French Bread
- 1-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Caesar Salad Kit
How long is this good for:
- Serve: You can keep this dish at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
- Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place in an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Thaw the baked spaghetti in the refrigerator overnight. Then, cover the dish with foil and bake in a 350 degree F oven until heated through about 20-30 minutes.
How much will this Bake Spaghetti cost:
RECIPE COST: $13.74
PRICE PER SERVING: $1.72
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
- 1 pound spaghetti – $1.28
- 1 pound lean ground beef – $3.60
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder – $0.06
- 2 teaspoons onion powder – $0.06
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings – $0.13
- 32 ounces pasta sauce – $1.92
- 4 tablespoons butter – $0.40
- 2 large eggs – $0.20
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – $0.50
- 16 oz container small curd cottage cheese – $2.14
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – $3.45
How to Make Baked Spaghetti Recipe:
Baked Spaghetti
Recipe Cost $13.74 Recipe Serving Cost $1.72Equipment
- large pasta pot
- large bowl
- 12-inch skillet
- 9x13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 32 ounces pasta sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 oz container small curd cottage cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
PREP OVEN AND BAKING DISH:
- Move oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
COOK SPAGHETTI:
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
COOK MEAT:
- Cook ground beef in a large skillet until completely browned. Drain off the fat, and then stir in onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pasta sauce.
MIX TOGETHER SPAGHETTI LAYER:
- In a large heat-proof bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.
- Once the spaghetti is done cooking, drain, and add spaghetti to the butter and egg mixture. Toss spaghetti until evenly coated.
ASSEMBLE AND BAKE:
- Place half of the spaghetti into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute half of the cottage cheese on top, then half of the meat mixture, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers and cover the baking dish with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes, and then uncover, rotate the pan, and bake 8-10 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition
This Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Recipe is easy enough for weekdays and dressy enough for company. It serves 8 people and costs just $13.74 to make!
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