Baked Spaghetti

5 from 3 votes

Baked Spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy pasta casserole layered with Italian sausage, marinara, ricotta, and melted mozzarella. It’s perfect for a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal.

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 605kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Equipment

9x13-inch Casserole Dish

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
1 small onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
1 large egg
salt and pepper to taste
fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the spaghetti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the meat and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and the egg. Mix until well combined.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked spaghetti, followed by half of the remaining meat sauce.
Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the sauce. Top with the remaining spaghetti and then the rest of the meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked spaghetti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!

Notes

Let It Rest: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to slice.
Make It Vegetarian: Swap the sausage with mushrooms, zucchini, or a veggie medley for a delicious meatless version.
For Extra Spice: Use hot Italian sausage or add more red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish.

Nutrition