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Spaghetti casserole is the definition of comfort food! Hearty, delicious, and an easy way to make and eat spaghetti.
It’s fun to switch up Spaghetti every once in a while, whether we decide to make Chicken Spaghetti, Spaghetti Chili, or this new Spaghetti Casserole!
Easy Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy casseroles? Especially this Spaghetti Casserole!
Here is why:
- SIMPLE. They’re so easy to whip up and throw into the oven for dinner!
- KID APPROVED. All the kids love this (and the adults do too!)
- HEARTY. Pasta, meat sauce, and lots of cheese! What more could you want?
- MAKE AHEAD + FREEZER MEAL. Casseroles are also great for making ahead of time or making as a freezer meal for later.
This casserole is simple a good, classic recipe that will never go out of style.
How to Make Spaghetti Casserole
- PREP. Start by preheating the oven to 350. While the oven is preheating, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain and set aside.
- MEAT. While the spaghetti is cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet. Cook, breaking into small pieces, until browned and cooked through. Drain the grease, then return the ground beef to the skillet.
- SAUCE. Add the spaghetti sauce (or Marinara sauce), sour cream, garlic salt, oregano, and basil to the skillet. Stir everything to combine.
- COMBINE. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese to the skillet, and mix.
- BAKE. Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan cheese over the top. Cover the casserole with foil and bake 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
Garnish with any fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
Recipe Tips
Here are a few pasta tips to keep in mind…
- Breaking the spaghetti noodles into quarters makes it easier to cut, serve and eat
- Try using OTHER PASTAS: angel hair is the most similar and keeps the “spaghetti” look, but you can also use shaped pasta such as penne and bow tie.
- Try other cheeses: You can add Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese or even cottage cheese.
- If you can, avoid the pre shredded bagged cheese. It contains a coating that keeps the cheese from sticking together, but it also keeps the cheese from melting as well.
- Change up the meat. Use Italian sausage instead of, or along with ground beef or use ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Add Veggies. Sneak in some diced onions, mushrooms, broccoli or bell peppers.
- Spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Making Ahead + Side Options
One reason I love casseroles is because they typically make a great freezer meal. This dish is no different!
The only adjustment to make is undercook the pasta then assemble as written. Cover the pan with plastic wrap then again with aluminum foil.
- FREEZE for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it thaw in the fridge and bake according to directions. (be sure to remove the plastic wrap)
- MAKE AHEAD. If you don’t want to freeze this dish you can still make it up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until baking.
SERVE THIS WITH:
Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Spaghetti casserole is the definition of comfort food! Hearty, delicious, and an easy way to make and eat spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce package spaghetti
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 26.5 oz spaghetti sauce jars (or marinara jars)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain.
- While the spaghetti is cooking, add the ground beef to a large skillet. Cook, breaking into small pieces, until browned and cooked through. Drain the grease, then return the ground beef to the skillet.
- Add the spaghetti sauce, sour cream, garlic salt, oregano, and basil to the skillet, and stir to combine. Add the noodles and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Pour the casserole into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 461kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 86mg, Sodium: 454mg, Potassium: 347mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 338IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 201mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Really good! Added a little adobe and texas pete and used meatballs instead of hamburger. my family loved it.
Glad your family did! Thank you for trying it & for letting me know!
Sounds wonderful. Spaghetti sauce is not listed the ingredients. But is in the instructions. It obviously belongs in it. Anxious to try this one.
Sorry about that..it’s a jar of your favorite sauce 🙂
Havent made it although I would use ricotta instead of sour cream.
Definitely could 🙂
One jar of sauce or two?
Two jars! 🙂
A friend BROUGHT this to my family after my SO had surgery. My kids loved it! Glad I can come here for the recipe.
Spaghetti is a family favorite! I like being able to make it casserole style. I can make it ahead of time. So easy!
So good! This is the perfect family meal! I never hear any complaints when it’s spaghetti casserole night!
I am so excited to make this for my family!! Love spaghetti in casserole form! I like how simple & easy this looks!
I doubled the recipe and froze half! It’s delicious!
We have spaghetti at least every other week, so this is a great option to mix it up! My family really liked it!
Wha size jar of spagh sauce do you use?
24 ounce jar..sorry! I need to add that! Thank you!
Absolutely loved it! We used all vegan substitutes (Neat Italian, Daiya Pizzeria Blend, Follow your Heart sour cream, and FOllow Your Heart parmesan) and it was delicious and so filling.
WE were unsure of how much spaghetti sauce to add, we put 18 ounces of sauce in the end, but that seemed to be too little. The sour cream was overpowering the flavor of the sauce a bit, so I’d recommend using at least a whole 24 ounce jar! Super excited to make more of your recipes!
I hope you find some to try! Thanks for sharing how you made it vegan friendly 🙂
How much spaghetti sauce? BTW, i love your recipes!!!