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Dinner Casseroles Beef Pasta Italian
4.6 from 56 votes

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •12/19/22 36 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a simple, kid friendly weeknight dinner consisting of all the classic Italian flavors we know and love. Easy to put together and always a crowd favorite.

a spoon scooping out spaghetti casserole from a baking dish
Table of Contents Open
  • Spaghetti Casserole!
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to make baked spaghetti casserole
  • How to serve
  • How to store leftovers
    • Reheat
  • Did you like this pasta recipe? Try these!
  • Baked Spaghetti Casserole
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Spaghetti Casserole!

The weeknight dinner you have all been waiting for! Baked spaghetti casserole, yum! This is the dinner everyone will flock to the table for – your kids, your spouse, your friends AND the neighbours. Don’t worry, there’s enough here to go around for everyone.

Here I go again making food for a dozen when there’s only 2 of us. But, this casserole is something that will not go to waste because I for one, LOVE this dish!! All the classic, Italian flavors of spaghetti married together and then baked to create that astonishing crispy and cheesy top layer that sets this apart from traditional spaghetti. It’s simple, flavorful and certainly a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make baked spaghetti casserole
  • Spaghetti – I used store bought spaghetti, use your preference.
  • Ground Beef – I used lean ground beef. Because I used lean there’s no need to drain the oil after its cooked.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
  • Italian Seasoning – Made up of oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil. If you don’t have Italian seasoning you can use a mix of any of the above.
  • Salt and Pepper – To taste.
  • Spaghetti Sauce – Use your favorite kind!
  • Tomatoes – Diced. You can use canned or fresh. I like using canned fire roasted tomatoes for a bit of a smoky flavor.
  • Cheese – I used mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  • Parsley – Optional, for garnish.

How to make baked spaghetti casserole

process shots showing how to make baked spaghetti casserole
  1. Preheat The Oven: Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
  2. Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain but reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  3. Cook Sauce: In a deep skillet or sauce pan cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, stir and cook until aromatic. Add add the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, reserved pasta water and stir. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  4. Bake: Stir in the spaghetti. Spread into a 9×13 inch baking dish, then top with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Serve: Garnish with basil or parsley and serve.
overhead shot of baked spaghetti casserole in a dish with a spoon in it

How to serve

Spaghetti is always best served amongst family and friends. I love gathering around a big dinner table with the people I love and digging in, but that’s not to say this dish can’t be enjoyed by yourself. It’s so good you might not want to share. Pair this baked spaghetti casserole with a garlic cheese bread or just a simple crusty bread and a simple salad and there you have it, the perfect dinner.

spaghetti casserole in a white and blue plate

How to store leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container. Cooked spaghetti will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to refrigerate after eating because bacteria will start to grow. Leftovers should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.

Reheat

Pop in the microwave or back into a skillet until heated through. You can also add some more cheese on top and pop it back into the oven to recreate that cheesy top layer.

Q: Where did the spaghetti go to dance?

A: The meat ball!

overhead shot of baked spaghetti casserole in a plate garnished with parmesan cheese

Did you like this pasta recipe? Try these!

  • Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Spaghetti Bolognese
  • Creamy Carbonara
  • Chicken Carbonara
  • Cheesy Taco Pasta
  • Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta
  • Instant Pot Creamy Ranch Chicken

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

a spaghetti spoon taking a scoop of baked spaghetti casserole
Print
4.58 from 56 votes

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 50 minutes
Total 1 hour
Rate Recipe
This Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a simple, kid friendly weeknight dinner consisting of all the classic Italian flavors we know and love. Easy to put together and always a crowd favorite.
8

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce spaghetti ((a package of spaghetti is about 14 oz, I didn’t use the whole package but feel free to use it all))
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 24 ounce spaghetti sauce ((1 jar of your favorite kind))
  • 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese ((optional))
  • parsley for garnish ((optional))

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat The Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain but reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  • Cook Sauce: In a deep skillet or sauce pan cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, stir and cook until aromatic. Add add the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, reserved pasta water and stir. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  • Bake: Stir in the spaghetti. Spread into a 9×13 inch baking dish, then top with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Serve: Garnish with basil or parsley and serve.

Equipment

  • 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet
  • 9×13-inch Casserole Dish

Notes

  1. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Cooked spaghetti will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  2. Make sure to refrigerate after eating because bacteria will start to grow. Leftovers should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 389kcal (19%)Carbohydrates: 40g (13%)Protein: 26g (52%)Fat: 14g (22%)Saturated Fat: 7g (44%)Cholesterol: 62mg (21%)Sodium: 802mg (35%)Potassium: 681mg (19%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 650IU (13%)Vitamin C: 11mg (13%)Calcium: 239mg (24%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

a spaghetti spoon taking a scoop of baked spaghetti casserole

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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36 Comments
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Henry McPhaul
Henry McPhaul
Posted: 8 days ago

4 stars
this reminds me of my sister’s recipe. I added a little more pasta water and 16oz. of spaghetti and ground chicken with beef broth concentrate.

0
Reply
Julie
Julie
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
This was easy and so delicious. I tried making a different recipe in the past, no need to look any further than this!

0
Reply
Lindsay Frank
Lindsay Frank
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
Made it for dinner tonight and it’s definitely another keeper! Making my way through your newest cookbook one recipe at a time ❤️

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lindsay Frank
Posted: 7 months ago

Happy to hear you’re enjoying my recipes!

0
Reply
Rosie
Rosie
Posted: 1 year ago

This is absolutely DELICIOUS!!🙌🏻

0
Reply
Laura Cox
Laura Cox
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I made this casserole last June for friends coming to visit me and my family. Everyone loved it! I’m making it again tonight. The recipe makes a ton for my family of just 3. Does this recipe freeze well?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Laura Cox
Posted: 2 years ago

Yes! I would say for best results, to leave the cheese off the top if you want to make it ahead and freeze it! Then when you can add it when you put it back in the oven to reheat 🙂 Regardless of the cheese topping, you can pop it in the freezer in an airtight container, it should last up to 3 months!

0
Reply
Jen
Jen
Posted: 2 years ago

Would the cooking time change if I use angel hair pasta instead of spaghetti?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jen
Posted: 2 years ago

Nope, remember you’re cooking the pasta first, so cook that according to package instructions.

0
Reply
Darlene
Darlene
Posted: 2 years ago

How far ahead can you make this? I’m just wondering if the spaghetti would absorb the liquid in the sauce.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Darlene
Posted: 2 years ago

If you’re worried about the spaghetti absorbing sauce, feel free to add another 8-12oz marinara sauce to the recipe. I’d make this max 3 days ahead.

0
Reply
Gigi
Gigi
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team
Posted: 1 month ago

To make a day ahead of time, should I go ahead and mix the sauce and spaghetti together then pour in fridge until ready to cook?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Gigi
Posted: 1 month ago

No, I would make the sauce ahead, then the day you want to serve it cook the spaghetti and finish the dish.

0
Reply
Paula
Paula
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Delicious my husband loves it.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Paula
Posted: 4 years ago

Glad to hear it!

0
Reply
heidi
heidi
Posted: 7 years ago

Could you make this meat-free?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  heidi
Posted: 7 years ago

Sure you can, just add more veggies instead, like some bell peppers or even mushrooms.

0
Reply
Devan
Devan
Posted: 7 years ago

5 stars
This.. was… SO GOOD! I’ve added this to my meal plan again for next week! Thanks so much!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Devan
Posted: 7 years ago

Glad you like dit Devan!

0
Reply
Pauline
Pauline
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 4 years ago

I try your recipe tonight
For spaghetti lasagna.I used Italian sweet sausage.ty for this recipe

0
Reply
Connie Webb
Connie Webb
Posted: 7 years ago

Sorry I’ve just come across this through Pinterest — could you sub out the noodles for spaghetti squash after roasting it? Thoughts?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Connie Webb
Posted: 7 years ago

Hi Connie,
I’ve never tried it but I think it could work, but the cooking time would be different I assume.

0
Reply
Justine@CookingandBeer
Justine@CookingandBeer
Posted: 8 years ago

“Q: Where did the spaghetti go to dance? A: The meat ball!” — I’m not kidding you when I say that I laughed at this joke for an entire minute. It’s the little things in life! I’m absolutely loving this recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. Looks delicious! Pinned!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Justine@CookingandBeer
Posted: 8 years ago

I know, I just love these silly little jokes. Thanks Justine!

0
Reply
Kim
Kim
Posted: 8 years ago

Have you ever mixed spinach in with the pasta? Or would it be better to add a layer

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kim
Posted: 8 years ago

I’ve made different pastas with spinach, that would be a wonderful addition and a great way to incorporate some veggies in this dish.

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
Posted: 8 years ago

Jo. Freeze half!!!!!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Judy
Posted: 8 years ago

Thanks Judy, I will!

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
Posted: 8 years ago

Oops. Just saw it. Sorry.
Funny 🙂

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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