Description
This Southern Baked Spaghetti Casserole combines hearty ground beef with a flavorful tomato and herb sauce, layered over perfectly cooked spaghetti and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, this comforting casserole makes a satisfying family meal with a delicious balance of meat, sauce, and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs lean ground beef (93% lean recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1 large green pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
- 24 oz marinara sauce (32 oz for a saucier casserole)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 14.5 oz spaghetti noodles (protein-plus pasta recommended)
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 4 minutes, breaking up the meat thoroughly with a sturdy spoon to ensure even browning.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the minced garlic, chopped onions, and green peppers to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables soften, approximately 4 more minutes.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Drain any excess liquid from the meat mixture. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, fresh basil, fresh oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently while you prepare the pasta.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti noodles following the package directions until al dente, which ensures the pasta holds its texture during baking. Drain the noodles thoroughly but do not rinse.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Add the cooked spaghetti to the dish and toss it with the shredded parmesan cheese for flavor and texture.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Pour the meat and tomato sauce mixture over the spaghetti in the dish. Stir gently to combine all components evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the casserole.
- Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown on top.
Notes
- Adjust the meat-to-sauce ratio depending on your preference: use 24 oz marinara for a meatier texture or 32 oz for a saucier dish.
- Cooking spaghetti al dente is crucial to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy during baking.
- Do not rinse the spaghetti after draining to allow sauce to cling better.
- Use a high-quality marinara sauce like Rao’s Homemade or Michael’s of Brooklyn for the best flavor, or your favorite store-bought brand.
- Nutritional values vary if substituting regular spaghetti with protein-plus pasta, which adds more protein and fewer carbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/10th of casserole)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
