Classic Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef
There’s something undeniably comforting about a bubbling pan of baked spaghetti—layers of saucy pasta, seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and a golden, slightly crispy top. It’s the kind of dish that shows up at family gatherings, weeknight dinners, and meal prep Sundays because it’s reliable, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce or use sugarfacebakes.com's homemade marinara recipe
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook spaghetti until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pan. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in marinara sauce and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, and half the parmesan.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the meat sauce and toss to combine.
- Layer half the spaghetti mixture into the pan.
- Spread ricotta mixture evenly.
- Add remaining spaghetti mixture on top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 420–480
- Protein: 22–26g
- Carbohydrates: 38–45g
- Fat: 18–22g
- Sugar: 6–8g
- Fiber: 3–5g