Baked Spaghetti Casserole with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti tossed with butter and Parmesan, topped with seasoned ground beef marinara and melted mozzarella, then baked until golden. A classic comfort food casserole that feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350F.
- 2
Cook pasta according to package directions.
- 3
While pasta cooks, brown ground beef in a large skillet. Add marinara sauce and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a simmer.
- 4
Drain pasta and rinse briefly under cold water. Stir in butter and Parmesan cheese until evenly mixed.
- 5
Spread pasta into a 9x13 glass or ceramic baking dish.
- 6
Sprinkle remaining Parmesan, salt, and pepper on pasta.
- 7
Layer meat sauce evenly over pasta.
- 8
Top with mozzarella.
- 9
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips
Rinsing pasta with cold water stops cooking and prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
Use a 9x13 glass or ceramic dish for even heat distribution.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat covered in 350F oven until warmed through.
Assemble casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours before baking. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if cold.
Serve immediately while hot. Pairs well with garlic bread and a simple green salad.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip rinsing the pasta to avoid it sticking together during baking.
Do not cover the casserole during baking to avoid a soggy top layer.
Do not use pre-shredded mozzarella with anti-caking agents to avoid grainy texture.