Description
This TikTok-inspired spaghetti casserole is a delicious layered pasta dish featuring a rich red meat sauce, creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, and a golden mozzarella topping baked to bubbly perfection. Combining the comforting flavors of sautéed ground beef, Italian seasoning, and two luscious sauces, this recipe is perfect for a family meal or gathering and brings a fresh twist to classic spaghetti.
Ingredients
Scale
Red Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 16 ounces spaghetti
Alfredo Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Red Sauce: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper; sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant for 1-2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, crumbling it, until no pink remains. Drain excess grease. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning then stir in spaghetti sauce. Set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, adding 1 tablespoon salt. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pan, melt butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook while stirring constantly for another minute to make a roux. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in heavy cream until smooth. Return pan to low heat and stir in parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Alfredo: Add the drained spaghetti to the Alfredo sauce and toss well to coat evenly. Spread the Alfredo-coated pasta evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Assemble and Bake: Spoon the red meat sauce evenly over the layered pasta, do not mix layers. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti casserole cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of dried Italian seasoning before serving for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese instead of pre-shredded for smoother melting.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps it set and makes serving easier.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/8th of casserole)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
