Description
Comfort meets Southern charm in this mouthwatering Southern Baked Spaghetti Casserole, blending creamy cheese, hearty meat sauce, and perfectly baked pasta. Generations of family recipes come together in one irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef or sausage
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Binding Ingredient:
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook spaghetti until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage to the skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned.
- Pour marinara sauce into the meat mixture, season with salt and pepper, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, developing rich flavors.
- Whisk eggs in a separate mixing bowl, then incorporate grated Parmesan cheese to create a creamy binding mixture.
- Gently fold the cooked spaghetti into the egg and cheese mixture, ensuring even coating.
- Grease a casserole dish, then spread half the spaghetti mixture across the bottom as the first layer.
- Evenly distribute meat sauce over the spaghetti, then sprinkle half of the remaining cheeses on top.
- Add the final layer of spaghetti, covering the meat sauce completely.
- Top with remaining cheese, creating an even, generous covering.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
Notes
- Enhance protein by substituting ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier twist.
- Use gluten-free spaghetti to make this dish celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen stress during meal preparation.
- Add extra depth of flavor by incorporating fresh herbs like basil or oregano into the meat sauce for a more vibrant taste profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg