Easy Baked Spaghetti: Cheesy Comfort Food Ready in 45 Minutes

By Olivia HayesAug 17, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

35 min

Total

45 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

This baked spaghetti recipe is a comforting combination of ground beef, marinara sauce, and a trio of cheeses for a satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday gatherings, it features a golden cheesy top that adds delightful texture. Simple to prepare, it can be made ahead and stored for convenient future meals. Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete dinner experience.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.

Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook it for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate.

Once done, drain the spaghetti and add it to a 9x13 casserole/baking dish.

Meanwhile, add the beef, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes to a skillet.

Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat has browned, about 10 minutes.

If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.

Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute, then add in the marinara sauce and cook until warmed through.

Pour the beef mixture over the spaghetti and toss until everything is coated.

Smooth it out into an even layer.

Top with the cheeses and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese if desired, watching carefully.

Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then serve by cutting it into squares and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Easy Baked Spaghetti: Cheesy Comfort Food Ready in 45 Minutes

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Dinner Baking

Easy Baked Spaghetti: Cheesy Comfort Food Ready in 45 Minutes

Name: Easy Baked Spaghetti: Cheesy Comfort Food Ready in 45 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound uncooked spaghetti; 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean preferred); 0.5 medium onion (chopped); 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning); 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 4 cups marinara sauce (about a 32-ounce jar); Salt (to taste); Pepper (to taste); 1 cup shredded mozzarella; 1 cup shredded cheddar; 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; Chopped fresh parsley (optional, to taste)

By Olivia HayesAug 17, 2026

Prep

10 min

Cook

35 min

Total

45 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Ingredients

Servings6

•1 pound uncooked spaghetti
•1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean preferred)
•0.5 medium onion (chopped)
•0.5 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
•0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
•4 cloves garlic (minced)
•4 cups marinara sauce (about a 32-ounce jar)
•Salt (to taste)
•Pepper (to taste)
•1 cup shredded mozzarella
•1 cup shredded cheddar
•1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
•Chopped fresh parsley (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375°F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
2
Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook it for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate.
3
Once done, drain the spaghetti and add it to a 9x13 casserole/baking dish.
4
Meanwhile, add the beef, onion, oregano, and red pepper flakes to a skillet.
5
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat has browned, about 10 minutes.
6
If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.
7
Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute, then add in the marinara sauce and cook until warmed through.
8
Pour the beef mixture over the spaghetti and toss until everything is coated.
9
Smooth it out into an even layer.
10
Top with the cheeses and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
11
Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese if desired, watching carefully.
12
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then serve by cutting it into squares and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.