Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the secret to perfectly cooked pasta every time. The golden, bubbly cheese crust is irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump straight to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Moroccan Spiced Beef Stew with Vegetables and Easy Kreatopita Recipe with Ground Beef and Phyllo Dough.
Why This Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly cooked pasta every time
- Golden, bubbly cheese crust
- Ready in just 30 minutes
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: You can also use ground turkey or Italian sausage.
- spaghetti: Any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine can be used.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly browned meat. → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quickly grate cheese for even melting. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
- Cook pasta: Boil spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown meat: Cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned. Drain fat.
- Combine ingredients: Mix cooked pasta, meat mixture, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Add cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the oven. If it's too soft, it will become mushy.
- Pro tip: Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and better searing of the meat.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Storing & Reheating Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Freezing Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use cooked lentils or mushrooms instead of ground beef.
- Best substitution: Use any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, then bake as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese isn't bubbly and golden, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
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Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown meat: Cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned. Drain fat.
- Combine ingredients: Mix cooked pasta, meat mixture, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings. Transfer to a baking dish.
- Add cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use cooked lentils or mushrooms instead of ground beef.
- Best substitution: Use any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine instead of spaghetti.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, then bake as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese isn't bubbly and golden, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 31g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 11g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite FAQs
Yes, prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Overcooking the pasta can make it dry. Make sure to cook it al dente before baking.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is best baked in the oven.
Baked spaghetti has a creamy, cheesy sauce that's mixed with the pasta and baked in the oven. Regular spaghetti is typically served with a sauce on top.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Cheese – Cozy Family Favorite and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
