Cheesy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef Recipe
This Cheesy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef is a comforting, hearty casserole featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles mixed with creamy cottage or ricotta cheese, layered with savory ground beef tomato sauce, and topped with a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to bubbly perfection, it's a crowd-pleasing meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 16 oz. ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 24 oz. jar spaghetti sauce or homemade pasta sauce
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 16 oz. spaghetti noodles
- 16 oz. whole milk cottage cheese or whole milk ricotta
- 3 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella, divided
- 1.5 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (quantity for tossing pasta, about 1 tablespoon)
Garnish
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions but cook them 2 minutes less than recommended for al dente texture. Drain, then toss with about 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper to keep the noodles from sticking together.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper to the beef. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes or until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Add Sauce: Pour in the spaghetti sauce, stir well to combine. Simmer and taste to adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: In a large bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti noodles with the cottage or ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, heavy cream, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper. Toss everything together thoroughly using tongs until evenly mixed.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Transfer the spaghetti and cheese mixture to the dish and spread in an even layer.
- Layer Meat Sauce and Cheese: Spoon the prepared meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, until the pasta is heated through, the cheese is melted, and the edges are bubbling. For a golden, browned cheese top, broil uncovered for 1-2 minutes if desired.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking so it sets up for easier slicing. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley if you like, then cut into slices and serve warm.
Notes
- Using whole milk cottage cheese or ricotta adds creaminess to the spaghetti mixture; feel free to choose based on preference.
- Cooking pasta just shy of al dente helps prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- Broiling at the end is optional but recommended if you enjoy a crispy cheese crust.
- Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option if desired.
