Baked spaghetti casserole is a cozy dish that brings comfort food right to your dinner table. Picture layers of spaghetti, a savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese, all baked together until bubbly and golden.
This spaghetti casserole recipe addresses issues such as bland flavor and uneven texture, ensuring a satisfying, comforting dish that pleases everyone at the table.
I remember making this for a family get-together when plans suddenly changed, and I needed something hearty that wouldn’t take forever. This recipe solves the hassle of juggling boiling pasta and sauce on a busy night, letting you stir it all together and pop it in the oven.
What’s great about this recipe is how easy it is to pull together in no time, just about 55 minutes from start to finish. You can feel confident that it’ll come together smoothly, even if some other things don’t go as planned (like burning the garlic, a mishap I’ve learned to avoid).
If you want another comforting dish, check out my Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Comforting Layers The combination of layers, spaghetti, hearty meat sauce, and creamy cheeses, creates a warm, satisfying meal. Each serving gives you that cozy feeling, perfect for family dinners.
- Incredibly Flavorful Sauce This sauce is loaded with sautéed onions and garlic, along with Italian sausage and tomatoes, resulting in a rich, savory flavor. You’ll enjoy the depth and aroma that fills your kitchen as it cooks.
- Cheesy Goodness With cottage cheese and mozzarella, this dish has a gooey and rich topping that pulls apart beautifully. It makes every forkful a cheesy delight, satisfying any cheese lover’s cravings.
- Make-Ahead Magic This baked spaghetti casserole can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. It’s ready to pop in the oven after a long day, making mealtime a breeze.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole with Meat Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cool Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
Classic baked spaghetti casserole layered with a savory Italian sausage tomato sauce and a creamy cottage cheese-Parmesan layer, topped with melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
-
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ lb. (227 g) Italian sausage
- 3 oz. (85 g) tomato paste
- 28 oz. (794 g) crushed tomatoes
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 12 oz. (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 cup (227 g) small curd cottage cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir regularly and cook until the onion and garlic are soft and fragrant.
- Step 2: Brown the Sausage: To the skillet, add ½ pound Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until it is browned thoroughly and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Simmer the Sauce: Stir in 3 ounces tomato paste, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ cup water. Gently simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Step 4: Prepare the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Optionally, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking. Cook 12 ounces spaghetti until slightly undercooked. Drain the pasta well, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment if needed.
- Step 5: Mix Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the drained spaghetti with the meat sauce. Mix gently, ensuring every strand is evenly coated for consistent flavor throughout the casserole.
- Step 6: Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the dish. Layer evenly with the cheese mixture made from 1 cup small curd cottage cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper. Top with the remaining spaghetti mixture. Evenly distribute 1 cup shredded mozzarella over the top layer.
- Step 7: Bake Until Bubbly: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Check that the casserole is bubbly around the edges. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese on top. If the cheese does not brown, switch to broil for 2 to 3 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Step 8: Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle 1 tablespoon chopped parsley over the top if desired. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes to set for easier slicing and serving.
Notes
-
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container on the counter no longer than 2 days for safety and flavor preservation.
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in a freezer container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
- If pasta becomes sticky during boiling, adding 1 tablespoon olive oil to the boiling water helps keep strands separate.
- If sauce appears too thick during simmering, stir in ¼ cup reserved pasta water to adjust consistency for an ideal coating.
- For richer sauce flavor, simmer an additional 10 minutes, observing to avoid sticking.
- For even cheese layering, sprinkle cheese while gently pressing down on the pasta mixture to ensure it melts evenly.
- Switch to broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking if the top is not browning adequately, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Reheat thoroughly in an oven set to 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before heating.
- Serve with a fresh garden salad or roasted asparagus for a light accompaniment. Garlic bread or gluten-free breadsticks provide a crunchy complement.
- Substitute whole wheat spaghetti for additional fiber without changing preparation steps.
- Dairy-free cheese alternatives may be used to accommodate dietary preferences, replacing cottage cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella equally by volume.
- Use ground beef instead of Italian sausage for a different flavor profile; note this may alter moisture content requiring sauce adjustment.
- Select firm, unblemished yellow onions for sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Use fresh garlic cloves, minced by hand rather than pre-minced for stronger flavor presence.
- Choose whole peeled canned tomatoes without added sugar or preservatives for sauce richness.
- Opt for freshly grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella for best melting quality and flavor.
- Bell peppers (optional addition) should be vibrant colored for sweetness and texture if included.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: Not specified
- Sugar: Not specified
- Sodium: Not specified
- Fat: Not specified
- Saturated Fat: Not specified
- Unsaturated Fat: Not specified
- Trans Fat: Not specified
- Carbohydrates: Not specified
- Fiber: Not specified
- Protein: Not specified
- Cholesterol: Not specified
Ingredient Notes
- Spaghetti: Choose a good quality spaghetti that holds up well in baking. Whole wheat is a great option if you’re looking for extra fiber!
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for a balance of flavor and moisture. Leaner meat can dry out, ruining the dish.
- Onion: Fresh yellow onions add sweetness and depth to the sauce. Make sure they’re firm and unblemished for the best flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves bring a robust flavor. Avoid pre-minced; they lack that punch. Chop them yourself for best results!
- Canned tomatoes: Opt for whole peeled tomatoes for richness and freshness. Look for brands without added sugar or preservatives.
- Oregano: Dried oregano enhances the overall flavor profile. Make sure to use a good quality brand for a true Italian taste.
- Cheese: A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan works great. Use fresh mozzarella for creaminess and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Bell peppers: Fresh bell peppers add a nice crunch. Choose vibrant colors for a sweeter taste and better presentation!
- Spaghetti: Choose a good quality spaghetti that holds up well in baking. Whole wheat is a great option if you’re looking for extra fiber!
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for a balance of flavor and moisture. Leaner meat can dry out, ruining the dish.
- Onion: Fresh yellow onions add sweetness and depth to the sauce. Make sure they’re firm and unblemished for the best flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves bring a robust flavor. Avoid pre-minced; they lack that punch. Chop them yourself for best results!
- Canned tomatoes: Opt for whole peeled tomatoes for richness and freshness. Look for brands without added sugar or preservatives.
- Oregano: Dried oregano enhances the overall flavor profile. Make sure to use a good quality brand for a true Italian taste.
- Cheese: A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan works great. Use fresh mozzarella for creaminess and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Bell peppers: Fresh bell peppers add a nice crunch. Choose vibrant colors for a sweeter taste and better presentation!
Recipe Tips
- If pasta becomes sticky while cooking, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to boiling salted water to keep strands separate and manageable.
- When your sauce looks too thick, add ¼ cup reserved pasta water during simmering to adjust the consistency for an ideal coating.
- If the meat sauce isn’t rich enough, allow it to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing flavors to deepen and develop fully.
- For an even layer of cheese, sprinkle it while gently pressing down on the spaghetti mixture, ensuring the cheese melts evenly over the top.
- If your casserole bubbles but the top isn’t browning, switch to broil for 2-3 minutes before serving, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the baked spaghetti casserole with a fresh garden salad or roasted asparagus for a light accompaniment. Garlic bread or gluten-free breadsticks also complement the casserole well and deliver some crunch.
Use leftovers to make stuffed peppers or layer it in lasagna form for a twist. Incorporate it into a pasta bake by adding different vegetables or cheeses, ensuring a hearty dish.
Top with marinara sauce or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added flavor. Drizzle with a balsamic glaze for a zesty finish, if desired.
Recipe variations
- You can use ground beef instead of Italian sausage to create a milder baked spaghetti casserole with similar richness and texture in the meat sauce.
- Add ½ teaspoon of dried oregano or ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a different seasoning profile and subtle heat.
- Either small-curd or regular cottage cheese can be used for the creamy cheese layer; just ensure to measure 1 cup for consistency with the recipe.
- If doubling this recipe, use 24 ounces of spaghetti and proportionally increase all sauce and cheese ingredients, baking in a larger casserole dish for 45 minutes.
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How to Store?
To keep your baked spaghetti casserole fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place in an airtight container. Keep on the counter no longer than 2 days to maintain safety and flavor.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container inside the fridge. This method preserves freshness for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then use a freezer container. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
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