Description
Hearty southern baked spaghetti casserole brings comfort and warmth to family dinner tables across the Southern United States. Cheesy layers of pasta, ground beef, and creamy sauce promise a satisfying meal that connects generations through classic home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook spaghetti in boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly.
- Sauté ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking meat into crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease.
- Enhance the meat mixture with marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Create a creamy pasta base by folding sour cream and half of the cheese blend into the cooked spaghetti.
- Construct the first layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish by spreading the spaghetti-cream mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Distribute the seasoned meat sauce uniformly over the initial pasta layer.
- Complete the casserole by adding the remaining spaghetti mixture as the top layer.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to set.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped herbs like basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier protein option that reduces overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences or family tastes.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked, which allows flavors to meld and creates a convenient make-ahead meal for busy nights.
- Consider adding extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg