Paula Deen's Three-Meat Baked Spaghetti Casserole
A hearty Southern-style baked spaghetti featuring three ground meats - chicken, pork, and turkey - layered with pasta and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. The rich tomato sauce simmers with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and Paula Deen's signature seasonings for deep flavor. This crowd-pleasing casserole works perfectly for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, offering comfort food satisfaction with every cheesy, saucy bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup onions, diced
- ½ cup green bell peppers, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons Paula Deen's House Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons Paula Deen's Seasoned Salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- 3 small bay leaves
- ½ lb ground chicken
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ lb ground turkey
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated, divided
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated, divided
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- 2
Combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar, and bay leaves in stockpot
- 3
Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 hour
- 4
Crumble ground meats in saucepan and cook until no pink remains
- 5
Drain fat from cooked meats
- 6
Add ground meats to stockpot and simmer for another 20 minutes
- 7
Cook pasta according to package directions
- 8
Cover bottom of 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with one-third of sauce
- 9
Layer half the pasta over sauce
- 10
Add half the cheeses over pasta
- 11
Repeat layering with pasta and remaining cheeses, ending with sauce
- 12
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes
- 13
Top with remaining cheese
- 14
Return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly
- 15
Cut into squares before serving
Tips
Remove bay leaves before serving to prevent someone from accidentally biting into one
Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes after baking for easier slicing and serving
Drain pasta slightly underdone since it will continue cooking in the oven
Good to Know
refrigerate leftovers up to 3-4 days
assemble completely, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day before baking
cut into squares and serve hot with garlic bread or salad
Common Mistakes
drain pasta water completely to avoid watery casserole
don't skip draining meat fat or sauce will be greasy
cover with foil if top browns too quickly during baking
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze this baked spaghetti?
Yes, freeze assembled unbaked casserole up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking, adding 15-20 extra minutes.
What if I don't have Paula Deen's seasonings?
Substitute House Seasoning with salt, pepper and garlic powder mix. Replace Seasoned Salt with regular seasoned salt or add extra Italian seasoning.
How long will leftovers keep?
Refrigerated leftovers stay fresh 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or cover and warm in 350F oven.