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This easy baked spaghetti is filling and flavorful. It’s a simple dinner recipe the entire family will love!

Baked spaghetti has all the makings of a classic Spaghetti, but in casserole form – similar to our Chicken Alfredo Bake and Pasta Bake.

Baked spaghetti dished onto white plate.

EVERYONE LOVES It!

I have loved Spaghetti since I was a little girl! In fact, it’s always been a family favorite dinner recipe and one that everyone in my family enjoyed.

We turned it into a baked version and EVERYONE loves it! Here’s why:

  • SIMPLE. Directions are easy to follow and the recipe altogether is simple.
  • FLAVOR. The taste is amazing. Take spaghetti and add more cheese, plop it in a baking dish, and you cannot go wrong.
  • EASY TO CHANGE UP. Based on the meat used, the sauce made and the cheeses added to this recipe, this dish is easy to make variations of.
  • MAKE AHEAD. Because it’s a bake, it can be made 1-2 days in advance.
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Hamburger cooked in skillet.
Spaghetti sauce in hamburger meat in skillet.

How to Make Baked Spaghetti

There are just a few simple steps to make this baked spaghetti recipe!

  1. PREP. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. MEAT. Brown your hamburger in a large pan over medium heat, breaking into small pieces. Drain.
  3. SAUCE. Add tomato sauce and paste, salt and pepper, water (with the bouillon cubes in it), sugar, basil, oregano and garlic. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  4. TOMATO SAUCE. Add tomato sauce and paste, salt and pepper, water (with the bouillon cubes in it), sugar, basil, oregano and garlic. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  5. PASTA. While sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti noodles as directed on the package, and set aside.
  6. CREAM. Add 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mozzarella cheese to the sauce and stir to combine. Add noodles and mix well. 
  7. POUR + TOP. Pour spaghetti mixture into a greased 11 x 14 baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. 
  8. BAKE. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 – 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Sauce for spaghetti bake mixed together in skillet.

Recipe Tips

Change up this cheesy baked spaghetti with these simple tips and variations!

  • Low-carb option. Spaghetti squash is a healthier alternative to normal spaghetti noodles, but it just takes a little more prep work. It may have a slightly different texture, but it would overall be a healthier option.
  • Meat. If your family doesn’t care for ground, replace it with Italian sausage or find a sweeter, more mild sausage. You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken.
Spaghetti noodles and meat mixed together and poured into baking dish.

Change it Up!

Variations. Change it up with any of these simple tips:

  • Top with parmesan cheese.
  • Replace the oregano and basil with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
  • To use fresh herbs, add 1 tablespoon of oregano and 1 tablespoon of basil.
  • Sneak in some vegetables like shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, or corn.
  • For extra flavor, add diced bell pepper, onions, or red pepper flakes.
  • The jar of spaghetti sauce can be replaced with a jar of Marinara Sauce. You can also whip up a favorite Spaghetti Sauce Recipe to use.
Cheese on top of spaghetti bake recipe.

Storing + Serving Tips

  • Make ahead of time. Assemble this spaghetti bake ahead of time before baking, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
  • STORE. Divide the leftovers into individual airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave. 
  • FREEZE. Assemble the easy baked spaghetti in a disposable pan to not risk cracking a glass pan. Wrap it with aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Top it with cheese after the initial baking time, just like it says in the instructions.

This would be a great dish to bake and take to someone in need!

SERVE THIS WITH:

Spaghetti Bake recipe close up image.

Recipe FAQ

Should I salt pasta water for baked spaghetti casserole?

Pasta recipes benefit from boiling the pasta in salted water, but it is not a must. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 1½ tablespoons of salt for every pound of pasta you are cooking. Stir then add the pasta and cook.

Can I make and freeze a spaghetti casserole to bake later?

This baked spaghetti recipe makes a wonderful freezer meal (see above for instructions) so go ahead and double or even triple the recipe. I recommend cooking the pasta to the cusp of al dente to help keep the pasta from getting mushy when it thaws and bakes.

Should I cover the spaghetti bake while in the oven?

This recipe has ample sauce so that the pasta should not dry out during the baking time. However, if you are worried, cover it during the first 15 minutes, add the cheese, and then bake uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

5 from 23 votes

Baked Spaghetti Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This cheesy baked spaghetti is filling and flavorful. It's a simple dinner recipe the entire family will love!
Servings: 8
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef 80% lean/20% fat
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes, (or 2 cups beef broth)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 16 ounce package spaghetti noodles
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
  • grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Brown your hamburger in a large pan over medium heat, breaking into small pieces. Drain.
  • Add tomato sauce and paste, salt and pepper, water (with the bouillon cubes in it), sugar, basil, oregano and garlic. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  • While sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti noodles as directed on the package, and set aside.
  • Add 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mozzarella cheese to the sauce and stir to combine. Add noodles and mix well.
  • Pour spaghetti mixture into a greased 11 x 14 baking dish and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 – 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Assemble this spaghetti bake ahead of time before baking, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
STORE. Divide the leftovers into individual airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave. 
FREEZE. Assemble the easy baked spaghetti in a disposable pan to not risk cracking a glass pan. Wrap it with aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Top it with cheese after the initial baking time, just like it says in the instructions.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 458mg, Potassium: 184mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 194IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 157mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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5 from 23 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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33 Comments

  1. Linda says:

    Do you have the casserole recipe that is similar to this one but has Alfredo sauce and spaghetti sauce also? I thought I saw on your page but can’t find it. It was awesome and thank you! I make a lot of your recipes so yummy! Thank s🤤

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