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Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe

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4.2 from 10 reviews

This Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining perfectly cooked spaghetti with a savory meat sauce, topped with bubbling cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. A classic Southern take on baked pasta, it’s ideal for family dinners and is easy to prepare using simple ingredients and a short bake time for a delicious, cheesy finish.

Ingredients

Spaghetti and Cheese

  • 1 pound dried spaghetti pasta
  • 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce and Meat Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or vegetable or canola oil)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, rinsed, seeded, and chopped
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat)
  • Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce (store-bought)
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil, then add the dried spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to ensure the baked spaghetti doesn’t stick.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of oil. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper, cooking until the onion is translucent and the vegetables start to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Cook Ground Meat and Season: Add the ground meat to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until nearly done, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season the meat mixture with salt, cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and optionally crushed red pepper. Stir well to combine the flavors.
  5. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the jar of pasta sauce and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Stir everything together thoroughly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti into the meat sauce mixture. Gently stir until the pasta is fully coated and all ingredients are well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
  7. Bake with Cheese: Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
  8. Serve: Remove the baked spaghetti from the oven and serve immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with traditional Southern sides like cornbread or garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor or dietary preference.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or add hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
  • Leftovers refrigerate well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave for quick meals throughout the week.
  • Use a mix of cheeses like Parmesan or Monterey Jack for variation in flavor and texture.
  • Ensure pasta is cooked to al dente to avoid mushiness after baking.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/easy-southern-baked-spaghetti-recipe/