Description
Southern Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring al dente spaghetti layered with savory ground beef marinara sauce and a gooey blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it combines classic Southern flavors with ease and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta, cooked al dente
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and transparent. Add ground beef, cooking until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for five minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine and Layer: In your baking dish, combine the cooked spaghetti and meat sauce thoroughly. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the pasta mixture to create an even base.
- Bake It to Perfection: Top with the remaining cheeses to create a golden, bubbly layer when baked. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned on top.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked spaghetti to rest for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven; this helps it set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Aim for al dente so it holds up after baking without becoming mushy.
- Drain Fat Well: Skim excess grease from the cooked ground beef to keep the dish from feeling heavy.
- Use Fresh Garlic and Onion: They add unrivaled flavor compared to powdered alternatives.
- Mix Cheeses: Combining mozzarella and cheddar creates the best gooey yet flavorful topping.
- Let It Rest: Holding the baked spaghetti for a few minutes improves slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg