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Creamy Baked Spaghetti Casserole

A close-up of a creamy baked spaghetti casserole with a rich meat sauce and melted cheese topping, garnished with herbs.
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A comforting and cheesy baked spaghetti casserole with a hearty meat sauce, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. This recipe includes instructions for making it ahead and freezing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  5. In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the cooked spaghetti. Top with half of the ricotta mixture, then half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  6. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • To make ahead: Assemble the casserole as directed, but do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. If baking from frozen, add an additional 15-20 minutes to the baking time, or until heated through. If baking from refrigerated, allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, or add an additional 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
  • For potlucks: Bake the casserole at home and transport it in the baking dish. Cover tightly to keep warm during transport. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes if needed.
  • You can add a layer of cooked Italian sausage or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
  • Consider using a good quality marinara sauce if you are short on time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/creamy-baked-spaghetti-casserole/