This Baked Spaghetti recipe brings together spaghetti with a rich, flavorful meat sauce combined with a cheesy topping and baked until golden and crisp. From start to finish, this pasta recipe is so easy and cozy-delicious. It’s a dream dinner situation for busy weeknights, potlucks, special occasions, and everything in between!

spatula picking up slice of cheesy baked spaghetti out of pan

I’m all about delicious, low-effort, flavorful recipes that hit the spot with a bit of coziness in the mix. With the summer season dwindling and fall on the horizon, I’m leaning into the vibes of it all. Spaghetti is one of those classic recipes that gives me every bit of nostalgia from my childhood. Baked spaghetti was a dish I remember fondly growing up and one that I’m happy to share with you…

slice of baked spaghetti on white plate with fork

Baked Spaghetti 🍝

We all know and love classic spaghetti, but baked spaghetti goes the extra mile with a few distinct differences. We’re taking traditional spaghetti and topping it with a blend of cheeses and finishing it off in the oven.

The result is a hearty pasta with an epic cheese crust topping. This dish is comfort food at its finest, peeps! This spaghetti recipe is clutch for an easy weeknight meal for the fam, a cozy weekend inside, or as an entertaining main piece that everyone will enjoy. The contrast in texture, the flavors…mmm!

ingredients for baked spaghetti in bowls on tiled surface

Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

One of the best things about this baked spaghetti recipe is how easily it all comes together with just a handful of ingredients! A few spices like Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt/pepper. We’re using spaghetti, jarred marinara for low fuss, ground beef, onion, and a blend of cheeses. From start to finish, this dish is super low effort with a high reward that you’ll appreciate!

red meat sauce in large pot with ladle

How To Make This Baked Spaghetti Recipe:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

  • Preheat the oven & boil the pasta.
  • Make the meat sauce: In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring often, until browned and slightly crisp. Add the onion and continue cooking along with the ground beef until the onion is tender. Season the meat mixture with the spices and stir to combine. Then stir in the garlic paste, brown sugar, and jarred marinara sauce and stir well to combine.
  • Let the sauce simmer briefly for about 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat. Add the drained pasta and toss the pasta with the meat sauce until well combined and the pasta is coated.
spaghetti and meat sauce in large baking dish
shredded cheese on top of spaghetti and meat sauce in large baking dish

Finish & Serve Spaghetti:

  • Add pasta to pan & top with cheese: Carefully empty the pasta with meat sauce into the prepared baking dish. In a bowl, combine the cheeses and toss well to combine. Then evenly sprinkle the cheese over the pasta.
  • Bake the spaghetti at 375°F for 20 minutes until the spaghetti is golden brown and the cheese topping is slightly bubbly and crisp. Then let cool.
  • Serve: Garnish the baked spaghetti with chopped parsley, if desired. Use a spatula or tongs to dig into the spaghetti and serve with extra fresh grated parmesan as desired. Ooooeee sheesh almighty 🙌🏾😛!
cheesy baked spaghetti in baking dish with spatula

What To Serve With Your Baked Spaghetti:

  • Side salad– Try this caesar salad or a classic wedge salad, yum.
  • Garlic bread– Listen, pasta & garlic bread just go together, the end.
  • Catfish– Among Black Southern cuisine, spaghetti and catfish is considered a soul food delicacy. Fried catfish is typically the go-to with this pairing, but try it with blackened catfish, too!
slice of cheesy baked spaghetti on small white plate

Storing Leftovers & Reheating:

Storing: Place leftovers inside an airtight container and keep it stored in the refrigerator, where the baked spaghetti will last for 3-4 days.

To reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through or in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of water or broth to rehydrate and prevent dryness.

baked spaghetti slice on white plate with fork

You’re gonna love this Baked Spaghetti, friends. Pasta, rich meat sauce, and a crispy, cheesy topping…gahhh. Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

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spatula picking up slice of cheesy baked spaghetti out of pan

Easy & Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Baking, Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This Baked Spaghetti recipe brings together spaghetti with a rich, flavorful meat sauce combined with a cheesy topping and baked until golden and crisp. From start to finish, this pasta recipe is so easy and cozy-delicious. It’s a dream dinner situation for busy weeknights, potlucks, special occasions, and everything in between!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef (we use 93%)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper- to taste
  • 2 tablespoons garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 (32-ounce) jar marinara sauce (we use Rao’s tomato basil)
  • 1 lb package spaghetti
  • 1 (8-ounce) package shredded Italian cheese blend, about 2 cups
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish- optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and then set aside while you prep the pasta and meat sauce.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions- but cook the pasta for 2-3 minutes less than the package directions. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven or deep sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When hot, gently swirl the pot to evenly coat the bottom. Add the ground beef and use a wooden utensil to break up the meat. Cook the ground beef, stirring often, until browned and slightly crisp, about 6-7 minutes.
  4. Add the onion and continue cooking along with the ground beef until the onion is tender, about 3-4 minutes. Season the meat mixture with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt/pepper to taste, and stir the mixture well to combine. 
  5. Stir in the garlic paste, brown sugar, and jarred marinara sauce and stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer briefly for about 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat. Add the drained pasta and toss the pasta with the meat sauce until well combined and the pasta is coated.
  6. Carefully empty the pasta with meat sauce into the prepared baking dish and use a utensil to evenly distribute the pasta in the dish. 
  7. In a bowl, combine the shredded cheeses along with the grated cheese and toss well to combine. Then evenly sprinkle the cheese over the pasta.
  8. Bake the spaghetti, uncovered, at 375°F for 20 minutes until the spaghetti is golden brown and the cheese topping is slightly bubbly and crisp. Feel free to broil for 1-2 minutes to get the topping extra crispy if you’d like! Let the spaghetti cool for 5-7 minutes before serving.
  9. Garnish the spaghetti with chopped parsley if desired. Use a spatula or tongs to dig into the spaghetti and serve portions immediately with extra fresh grated parmesan as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please read blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.

Recipe by: Quin Liburd- Butter Be Ready

Photography by: Ashley McLaughlin