Get ready to dive into the ultimate comfort food classic: Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a hearty, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying casserole that brings everyone to the table. We combine perfectly cooked spaghetti, savory meatballs, a rich marinara sauce, and a glorious blanket of melted cheese. It’s the perfect easy dinner for a busy weeknight, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for potlucks, and a fantastic freezer meal for future you. This recipe is designed to be foolproof, ensuring your spaghetti bake comes out bubbly, flavorful, and absolutely delicious every single time.
Why This Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe is a Winner
This recipe stands out because it masters the details that make a good spaghetti casserole great. The pasta is cooked just right so it doesn’t turn mushy in the oven, and the layers are assembled to ensure every bite is loaded with sauce, meatballs, and cheese. It’s a simple dish, but this method elevates it to something special.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Bake
The magic of this dish comes from simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs casserole.
- Spaghetti: The star of the show. We’ll cook it just shy of al dente to ensure it holds its texture during baking.
- Meatballs: You have options! Use your favorite brand of frozen cooked meatballs for ultimate convenience, or make a batch of our easy homemade meatballs for extra flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: A good quality jarred marinara sauce works beautifully here. Look for one with a rich, robust tomato flavor.
- Cheese: A combination is key! We use shredded mozzarella for that epic cheese pull and grated Parmesan for a sharp, nutty bite. A layer of ricotta or cottage cheese can also be added for extra creaminess.
- Seasoning: A little Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper are all you need to tie the flavors together.
How to Make Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs (Step-by-Step)
Making this casserole is as easy as a few simple layers. Follow these steps for a perfect result.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions, but pull it out 2 minutes early. This is crucial to prevent it from overcooking in the oven. Drain well.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, about two-thirds of the marinara sauce, half of the Parmesan cheese, and your seasonings. Gently toss everything together until the spaghetti is fully coated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread a thin layer of the remaining marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half of the spaghetti mixture. Arrange the meatballs over the spaghetti in a single layer. Dollop with ricotta if using.
- Layer It Up: Add the remaining spaghetti mixture over the meatballs. Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the top, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle generously with the shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it. This helps it set and makes serving much easier. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Casserole Success
Want to make your Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs even better? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: This is the most important tip. Cooking the spaghetti al dente (or even a minute less) is the secret to avoiding a mushy casserole.
- Use a Block of Mozzarella: For the best cheese pull, buy a block of low-moisture mozzarella and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Season Every Layer: A little salt and pepper on your pasta water, in your sauce, and mixed with your spaghetti ensures the final dish is seasoned perfectly throughout.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, feel free to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
- Creamy & Rich: Mix a cup of ricotta cheese with an egg and a pinch of nutmeg, then layer it in the middle of the casserole for a lasagna-like texture.
- Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce for a gentle heat.
- Veggie-Loaded: Sauté some chopped bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms and mix them in with the sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
This Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs casserole is a perfect meal prep recipe. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
What to Serve with Your Spaghetti Bake
This dish is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a refreshing contrast, and you can never go wrong with a side of warm homemade garlic knots to sop up any extra sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the bake time.
Yes, you must cook the spaghetti before baking it. However, you should undercook it by about 2 minutes from the package directions. The pasta will absorb liquid from the sauce and finish cooking in the oven, resulting in a perfect texture.
To prevent baked spaghetti from drying out, make sure to use plenty of sauce. A good ratio is essential. Also, covering the dish with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking helps trap steam and keep the pasta moist. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to brown the cheese.
A combination of cheeses provides the best flavor and texture. Low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella is perfect for achieving that classic, stretchy cheese pull. Mixing in some grated Parmesan adds a sharp, salty flavor that complements the tomato sauce beautifully.
The ideal temperature for baking this casserole is 375°F (190°C). This temperature is hot enough to heat everything through and melt the cheese to a perfect golden brown in about 25-30 minutes without overcooking the pasta.
More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this hearty casserole, be sure to check out some of our other favorite comfort food dinners! Our Creamy Alfredo Lasagna Soup is a viral sensation for a reason, and this Southern Spaghetti Bake offers a fun twist on a classic. For another delicious pasta dish, try this Creamy Sausage Rigatoni (coming soon).
The Ultimate Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs (The Ultimate Comfort Casserole)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, but ensure it is very al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package recommends). Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, 2 cups of marinara sauce, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper and toss until the spaghetti is evenly coated.
- Spread a half cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add half of the spaghetti mixture in an even layer. Arrange the meatballs on top. Cover with the remaining spaghetti mixture.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the spaghetti. Sprinkle evenly with the shredded mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Tip 2: Undercooking the pasta is essential! It will finish cooking in the oven, and this prevents it from becoming mushy.
Tip 3: Let the casserole rest before cutting into it. This allows it to set up, making for cleaner slices.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll love this easy and delicious Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest so you can find it again.
