Description
Hearty Southern baked spaghetti casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to family dinner tables across the American South. Creamy cheese, savory meats, and perfectly baked pasta create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti (cooked)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Tomato and Seasoning Base:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Binding and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with a light grease coating.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Sauté onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until the meat browns completely and releases its juices.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat, then incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Allow the mixture to simmer and develop flavors for 10 minutes.
- Create a creamy cheese blend by mixing cottage cheese, eggs, and half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses in a separate mixing bowl.
- Construct the first layer of the casserole by spreading half of the cooked spaghetti across the bottom of the prepared dish. Cover with half of the cheese mixture, then add a generous layer of meat sauce.
- Replicate the layering process with remaining spaghetti, cheese mixture, and meat sauce. Generously sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Distribute small butter pieces across the casserole surface to enhance richness and flavor.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the layers to set before serving.
Notes
- Swap cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother, richer texture that melts beautifully into the pasta layers.
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to create a lighter, healthier version of this hearty casserole.
- Enhance the dish’s flavor profile by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano directly into the meat sauce for a more authentic Italian taste.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify before baking – perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg