I love testing different recipes for baked spaghetti, each giving a delicious new spin on this form of classic comfort food. In this post, I’ve rounded up 15 tasty variations, from the classic baked spaghetti to we’ve-gone-to-the-world-in-80-dishes global options like Mexican baked spaghetti or baked spaghetti with mushrooms and truffle oil.
Let’s dive into these with gusto!
The 15 Best baked spaghetti recipes
1. Classic Baked Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti is a comforting casserole that has everything we love about spaghetti and meat sauce, yet it’s somehow more fun to eat. It may be that any food one eats using a fork and that comes in layers (or capes, as we sometimes call them in our house) is just inherently more engaging and tempting.
Also, this particular layered combination of flavors and textures—spaghetti, ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted cheese—is hard to beat.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Follow the instructions on the spaghetti package to cook the pasta until it is al dente; then drain the pasta and set it to the side.
2. In a big skillet over moderate heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the excess fat, if necessary, and stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for an easy 5-minute sauce.
3. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, distribute half of the cooked spaghetti. Top it with half of the meat sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Make a second layer, just like the first. In this layer, use the other half of the ingredients. For the second layer, in the bottom of the dish, add the remaining ingredients and then, the last topping: mozzarella.
4. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake in a 375ºF oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese—and the dish, in general—is bubbly and barely beginning to brown. Allow the dish to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
2. Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti in a cheesy blanket of gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan invites the family to gather around the dinner table. This Southern-style casserole combines the quintessential pasta and tomato sauce (with ground meat, if you like) and offers a perfect opportunity to eat with a fork or spoon.
Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
24 ounces marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to begin the preheating. Take the spaghetti and prepare it according to the package directions, cooking it to the “al dente” stage. When the pasta is done, drain it and set it off from the cooking station.
2. In a large frying pan, prepare the ground beef over medium heat until it is cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
3. Combine the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning with the beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Mix the cooked spaghetti with the beef sauce and combine well. Reserve half the mixture and layer it in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Layer the remaining spaghetti mixture on top, and finish with the remaining cheeses.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake in the oven that has been heated to this temperature for 20-25 minutes. You will know the dish is done when the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve while hot.
3. Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, baked to perfection, is a filling family dish full of layers—layers of spaghetti, layers of savory ground beef, layers of rich marinara sauce, layers of onions and garlic, layers of Italian seasoning—and all topped with layers of melted mozzarella cheese. You cannot go wrong with a comforting Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce meal.
Ingredients
Spaghetti
Ground beef
Marinara sauce
Onion
Garlic
Italian seasoning
Mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to warm up. Prepare the packaged spaghetti by cooking it as directed. When finished, drain the pasta and set it aside for later.
2. In a big skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
3. Combine the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the sauce to the spaghetti and mix well. Place in a baking dish and cover with the mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
4. Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce unites soft spaghetti with a hearty blend of onion, garlic, bell pepper, and marinara, all topped with melted mozzarella. 1.
オーブンの予熱をする。
2. 玉ねぎを炒め、香味野菜を加え、その後にマリナーラソースを加える。
3.
スパゲッティをゆで、次に炒めた材料と混ぜる。
4. モッツァレラチーズで覆い、オーブンで焼く。
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Prepare the spaghetti as per the directions on the package until it has achieved an al dente texture. Drain and put it aside.
3. In a big frying pan, warm olive oil over a medium flame. Toss in the chopped onion, along with the minced garlic and sweet pepper, and cook until all the ingredients are soft and aromatic.
4. In a baking dish, combine the spaghetti that has been cooked, the sautéed vegetables, and the marinara sauce. Mix thoroughly, and add shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbling all over.
5. Baked Spaghetti Carbonara
Baked Spaghetti Carbonara consists of traditional ingredients such as spaghetti, eggs, and Parmesan cheese. Add to that prosciutto, which is as close to what is traditionally used as you can get, and this dish shines with flavors that are straight from an Italian Nonna’s kitchen!
Baked Spaghetti Carbonara makes such a wonderful family meal and can be doubled or halved easily.
Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti
4 large eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces pancetta or bacon, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). In a large pot, let salted water come to a boil. Cook the spaghetti in the water until done but still firm to the bite (known as al dente). Drain the spaghetti when it is ready.
2. In a big frying pan over a medium flame, heat the pancetta or bacon until it’s good and crispy. Toss in the minced garlic and give it a good stir for about one minute. Then, take the whole deal off the heat.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Whisk together until blended. Add to the bowl the cooked spaghetti and pancetta mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat all the pasta.
4. Move the mixture of spaghetti to a baking dish that has been greased. Place it in the oven that has been preheated to 350°F. Allow it to bake for 20-25 minutes, keeping a watchful eye on the dish toward the end. It is ready when the top is golden brown and set.
6. Baked Spaghetti Alfredo
Comforting, cheesy, and hearty, Baked Spaghetti Alfredo is a pasta bake like no other. So what is it, exactly?
It’s tender spaghetti mixed with creamy Alfredo sauce (we use a super-simple version made with just butter, cream, and Parmesan), then layered with the requisite cheeses (also melted, of course). This recipe makes a big, generous dish of pasta, perfect for feeding the whole family—maybe a few leftovers, too.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cups Alfredo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 cup steamed broccoli florets
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by applying a light layer of grease.
2. Prepare the spaghetti as per the package guidelines until it is very firm to the bite, and then drain it and keep it aside.
3. In a big bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, chicken, and broccoli. Season how you like with salt and pepper and stir until everything is mixed up nicely.
4. Pour the blend into the prepared baking dish, spread it evenly, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Cool slightly and serve.
7. Spaghetti Bolognese Bake
Spaghetti Bolognese Bake transforms classic spaghetti into a deliciously baked dish featuring spaghetti, ground beef, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. It is a meal that brings comfort, with a combination of flavors so rich and textures so satisfying, that in every bite, you get a burst of deliciousness.
Ingredients
250g spaghetti
400g ground beef
1 can (400g) of tomato sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare the pasta as per the provided package guidelines, then drain and set it apart.
2. In an extra-large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, chopped, and the garlic, minced. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. Put the skillet on the stove and set the heat to medium. Place the ground beef in the skillet, and use a wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks. Stir and scrape the spoon against the bottom and sides of the skillet so that the beef browns evenly and cooks through.
4. In a baking dish, layer the cooked spaghetti, pour the mixture of beef and tomato sauce (see below) over it, and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Baked Spaghetti with Spinach and Ricotta
Baked Spaghetti with Spinach and Ricotta is a comforting dish that features layers of cooked spaghetti, a creamy mixture of ricotta and chopped spinach, and is topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, then baked to perfection.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg#
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) for cooking. The spaghetti goes into boiling water. Cook the pasta according to directions; drain and set aside.
2. In a big basin, mix the ricotta, chopped spinach, egg, and half of the Parmesan cheese together.
3. In a baking dish, layer the cooked spaghetti, then top with the spinach and ricotta mixture. Spread marinara sauce over the savored layers. Then, top with freshwater mozzarella and the remaining grated Parmesan.
4. 25-30 minutes: Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly and serve.
9. Mexican Baked Spaghetti
Baked Mexican Spaghetti is a zesty mix of Italian and Mexican flavors. It starts with the familiar, comforting elements of spaghetti, ground beef, and cheese.
But then the dish gets a serious southwestern makeover, courtesy of taco seasoning, salsa, and, in my case, some substantial portions of cream cheese and black beans.
Ingredients
Spaghetti (12 ounces)
Ground beef (1 pound)
Taco seasoning (1 packet or 2 tablespoons)
Salsa (1 cup)
Mexican blend cheese, shredded (2 cups)
Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened)
Black beans, drained and rinsed (1 cup)
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the spaghetti by following the package directions, and drain it. Set the pasta aside.
2. In a big frying pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain off the fat. Add the taco seasoning and salsa. Stir it all up.
3. In a big bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with cream cheese, mixing them well together. Then, add to the bowl the mixture of ground beef and black beans, and stir everything together until it is uniform and consistent. This is a baked dish you can serve in a large portion.
4. Put the spaghetti mixture in a baking dish that you have prepared with some grease. On top of that, put some cheese that has been shredded. Then, put the whole thing in an oven that you have warmed to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for somewhere between 20 to 25 minutes.
10. Baked Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Topping
The combination of the crunchy garlic-bread topping, spaghetti, marinara sauce, and melted cheesy goodness transforms what could be a fairly basic pasta dish into something extremely craveable. Plus, it definitely feels fancy enough to serve to guests.
I mean, really—when was the last time you served someone pasta that looked like this?
Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup garlic croutons, crushed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating, cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package, taking care to ensure that it is cooked to the al dente stage. After draining the spaghetti, return it to the cooking pot and combine it with the marinara sauce, tossing to ensure that the pasta is uniformly coated.
2. In a baking dish, layer the spaghetti with sauce, then top it off with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
3. In a small bowl, blend the crushed croutons, olive oil, and minced garlic. Spread this mixture evenly over the layer of cheese.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot.
11. Chicken Parmesan Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti with Chicken Parmesan blends a good deal of cheese and a couple of delectable sauces with all-time favorite spaghetti. That’s all very nice, but why?
Why chicken and spaghetti? Why place that combination in layers and bake the whole thing in the oven for a good, long while?
It doesn’t seem like much to get excited about. But here, in this recipe, is where things take a turn for the better.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Boil the spaghetti in water according to the package directions until it is very firm and slightly chewy, or al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. In a big mixing bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti, marinara sauce, diced chicken, and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix everything together well.
3. Grease a baking dish and add the spaghetti mixture. Over it, sprinkle the cheeses—mozzarella first—so that the top is uniformly covered. Follow with Parmesan.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
12. Baked Spaghetti with Mozzarella and Basil
Spaghetti with Mozzarella and Basil, baked, combines tender marinara, rich sauce, and gooey spaghetti. Finished with Parmesan and fresh basil, this dish is a comforting, oven-baked classic.
Ingredients
12 oz. spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to warm up. Boil your pasta in salted water. Drain and toss with olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. In a gigantic bowl, mix together the well-cooked spaghetti, the marinara sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Once the mixing is complete, make sure that everything is well-coated.
3. Move the spaghetti blend to a greased baking dish. Make sure to place it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Then, pour the remaining half of the sauce over the spaghetti. This is one of the 10 most important steps. After that, scatter half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top of the dish.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil.
13. Baked Spaghetti with Marinara and Sausage
Explore my spaghetti al forno, where the same core ingredients meet in a dish that is baked, not boiled. And this is not a one-note dish, in which the pasta and its accompaniments are subsumed in a single sauce.
These flavors occur in layers, and at each layer you might catch some other flavor that makes it even better.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to preheat. In the meantime, prepare the spaghetti according to the provided directions. When the pasta is finished and has reached a firm texture, drain the noodles and place them to the side.
2. In a big frying pan over medium heat, put in olive oil and the Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to stir and break up the sausage as it cooks, and keep cooking until the sausage is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix the cooked spaghetti with the marinara sauce and the cooked sausage in a large bowl. Ensure that everything is well combined and then pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
4. Add the finishing touch of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and pop in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. When you take it out of the oven, you should see melted, bubbly cheese. Serve it while it’s hot.
14. Pesto Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti with Pesto is a scrumptious Mexican dish that marries the flavors of spaghetti with those of pesto, a sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil (or other kinds of nuts). This recipe transforms the lunch counter classic by adding tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, then baking the whole lot to creamy, cheesy perfection.
Ingredients
Spaghetti, 8 oz
Basil pesto, 1 cup
Cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup
Fresh mozzarella, diced, 8 oz
Parmesan cheese, grated, 1/4 cup
Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and prepare the spaghetti according to package directions until it has reached the al dente stage. When the spaghetti has cooked sufficiently, drain it and put it to the side.
2. In a big bowl, mix the cooked spaghetti with the basil pesto, making certain that the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Put in the tomatoes and half the mozzarella. Stir to mix.
3. Pour the mixture into a baking dish that has been greased. Place over the top the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
4. Spoon oilve oil over the dish, then sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and browned all over. Serve immediately.
15. Baked Spaghetti with Mushrooms and Truffle Oil
Baked Spaghetti with Mushrooms and Truffle Oil
This dish has flavor to spare and features spaghetti, sautéed mushrooms, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, all rendered even more delectable by the wonderful aroma of truffle oil. There’s no meal more comforting than this one.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon truffle oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box. When it’s done, give it a good draining and set it aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they are golden brown and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the sautéed mushrooms, heavy cream, cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, and truffle oil. Combine until uniform and season with salt and pepper as needed.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish that has been greased. Place it in the oven, preheated to the desired temperature, and set a timer for it to bake between 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it and look for doneness determined by a bubbly,golden top. Hit the servingdish with heat from the oven and plate it up.
