Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.

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Baked spaghetti is a hearty casserole with tender pasta and a flavorful meat sauce. It's an easy, family-friendly meal perfect for any night of the week.

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 spaghetti according to package directions. Cook until al dente.
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.
Dump 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

Salt the Pasta Water – Add salt to the boiling water before cooking the spaghetti. This enhances the flavor of the pasta and helps season the whole dish.

Don’t overcook the pasta - The spaghetti will continue cooking in the oven, boil it until it is just to al dente. Overcooked pasta can become too soft and mushy after baking.

Drain Excess Grease – After browning the sausage, be sure to drain off any extra grease to prevent the dish from becoming too oily.

Use High-Quality Marinara – Since jarred marinara is the base of the sauce, choose a brand you love or use homemade for the best flavor.

Let It Rest Before Serving – Allowing the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set up, making it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.

Nutrition