CHEESY Baked Spaghetti
This classic Cheesy Baked Spaghetti is topped with Mozzarella cheese, made spaghetti pasta, ground beef, pork, or lamb, cheese, and tomatoes.Double the sauce for a real "saucy" spaghetti bake. Also optional to use shredded Mozzarella cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz package of pasta, cooked el dente (slightly underdone)
- ¼ c olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef, pork, or lamb
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 28 oz can whole, peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 1 7 oz can tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- ½ Tbsp dried marjoram
- Basil or parsley to garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ c ricotta cheese
- ⅔ c grated Parmesan, divided
- 16 oz fresh mozzarella cheese log (slices), (optional to use shredded mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large 9X13 (or similar sized) baking dish.
- Cook the pasta el dente (slightly undercooked) according to package directions.
- In a large skillet, add olive oil and heat over medium-high. When oil is hot, add in the ground beef and allow to brown. Salt and pepper, then after 4-5 minutes, add in the onion, garlic, marjoram, thyme, and oregano. Stir gently and allow meat to finish cooking and the onions to become tender—taste for additional seasoning. Stir for about 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-low and add tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Stir for 20 minutes and allow the sauce to reduce by about 1/3. Taste for seasoning.
- Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl (large enough to fit the cooked pasta), whisk together the eggs ricotta, and ⅓ cup of Parmesan. Add the pasta to the bowl and coat with the egg mixtures (use your hands or tongs!)
- Layer ⅓ of the pasta in the baking dish followed by ⅓ of the meat sauce, and ⅓ of the mozzarella slices. Continue this layering until all ingredients are used. Finish the layering with mozarella and any additional grated cheese, like Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes, then remove foil and return to baking for 20-25 minutes more, or until top is golden and browned—you can also stick the dish under the broiler on low for a minute or two to speed up the browning.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Reposted from January 2020.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 409kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 141mg, Sodium: 636mg, Potassium: 283mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 642IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 437mg, Iron: 3mg