Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce (1 jar)
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
Cheese and Garnish
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat The Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta but reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
- Cook Sauce: In a deep skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned and no longer pink. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, and reserved pasta water. Simmer the sauce mixture for about 5 minutes to combine flavors and thicken slightly.
- Combine and Bake: Stir the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, ensuring it’s well coated. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and optional Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious baked spaghetti casserole.
Notes
- You can use the entire package of spaghetti if you prefer a heartier casserole.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning flavor.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice sharpness.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
