Description
This Weeknight Baked Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy dish perfect for busy evenings. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, it’s sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- Spaghetti: 12 ounces
- Ground Meat: 1 pound (beef, turkey, or sausage)
- Marinara Sauce: 3 cups
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups shredded, plus 1 cup for topping
- Ricotta or Cottage Cheese: 1 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Meat: In a skillet, cook ground meat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Mix Sauce: Add marinara sauce to the meat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: In a large bowl, mix spaghetti with the meat sauce. Layer half in a greased baking dish, add cheese mixture, then top with remaining spaghetti.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest & Serve: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add sautéed vegetables or swap the meat for a vegetarian option.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g