Print

Baked Spaghetti with Meat and Mozzarella Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 76 reviews

This comforting baked spaghetti recipe combines perfectly cooked pasta with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce mixture, layered with creamy cottage cheese and mozzarella, then baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, family-friendly casserole that’s ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound spaghetti

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cheese Mixture

  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups cottage cheese, divided
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions but stop cooking 2 minutes before it reaches al dente to ensure it doesn’t overcook during baking. Drain and set aside.
  3. Cook Meat and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion. Brown the mixture for about 5-6 minutes, breaking the meat apart until fully cooked and onions are softened.
  4. Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce with the cooked meat and onions. Let it simmer briefly and mix well so the flavors combine.
  5. Mix Pasta with Eggs and Butter: In a large bowl, toss the slightly undercooked spaghetti with kosher salt, the two beaten eggs, and melted butter until evenly coated. This will help bind the casserole.
  6. Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the pasta evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add half of the cottage cheese over the pasta, then spread half of the meat sauce on top, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  7. Add Remaining Layers: Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta, cottage cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
  9. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is crispy and bubbly.
  10. Serve: Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving for easier slicing and to allow it to set.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavors.
  • Use whole milk or low-fat cottage cheese depending on your preference.
  • For extra cheesy goodness, sprinkle some Parmesan on top before baking.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.

Keywords: baked spaghetti, spaghetti casserole, ground beef pasta bake, cheesy spaghetti bake, easy dinner, family friendly pasta

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/baked-spaghetti-with-meat-and-mozzarella-recipe/