Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.

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Baked spaghetti combines pasta, Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and plenty of cheese in an easy, family-friendly casserole. It's a hearty dinner that's simple to assemble and bakes in just 20–25 minutes.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings people

Calories 677kcal

Author Kathy Berget

Equipment

Casserole Dish 9x13

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti Use regular or thick spaghetti noodles. Avoid using thin spaghetti.
1 pound Italian sausage sweet or spicy
½ cup onion diced
2 teaspoons garlic minced
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
4 cups marinara 1 24 ounce jar
1 cup mozzarella shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
1 teaspoon fresh basil or Italian parsley chopped, for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Cook the spaghetti until slightly under al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directions. The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.
1 pound spaghetti
While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. Cook Italian sausage. When browned, move sausage to one side of pan and add onions. Cook until the onions are soft and the sausage is fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.
1 pound Italian sausage, ½ cup onion
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2 teaspoons garlic
Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasoning. Bring to a simmer.
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, 4 cups marinara
Turn off the heat and stir in half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan.
1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Drain spaghetti and add to sauce. Stir to coat.
Transfer everything into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish or one that holds 3 quarts.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake uncovered in preheated 375°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook the pasta slightly under al dente. The spaghetti will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid cooking it completely on the stovetop.
Drain excess grease from the Italian sausage before adding the remaining ingredients.
Use a marinara sauce you enjoy. Since the sauce provides much of the flavor in this casserole, choose a favorite brand or use homemade marinara.
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps everything set slightly and makes it easier to serve.
For a browned, bubbly top, place the casserole under the broiler briefly after baking. Keep a close eye on it so the cheese doesn't burn.

Nutrition