A comforting and cheesy baked spaghetti casserole layered with a savory meat sauce, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. This recipe includes freezer-friendly instructions.
Author:oliviarosewood
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:50 min
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
1 (15 ounce) can ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with half of the meat sauce.
Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the spaghetti layer.
Top with the remaining spaghetti mixture.
Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top.
Sprinkle evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
To freeze, assemble the casserole but do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
For potluck serving, bake the casserole ahead of time and transport it in its baking dish. Reheat gently in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) if needed.
You can add a layer of cooked, drained mushrooms or bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra flavor and texture.