Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese
Are you looking for a hearty and comforting meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than this delicious Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese recipe. It combines the richness of a homemade meat sauce with the gooey goodness of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 16 oz. spaghetti
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 c. basil, chopped
- 1 c. shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. While the oven is heating up, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Once done, drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the extra-virgin olive oil. Once the oil is heated, toss in the finely chopped onions and sauté them until they become soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, and let it cook until it becomes fragrant, approximately 1 minute more.
Next, add the ground beef to the skillet. Season it generously with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the beef until it’s no longer pink, which typically takes around 8 minutes. To reduce the fat content, drain the excess fat by placing a bowl lined with paper towels near the skillet, and transfer the cooked beef to it. Then, return the beef to the skillet.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the chopped basil to the mixture. Let it simmer until it slightly reduces, which should take about 10 minutes. To ensure your sauce is perfectly seasoned, taste it and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 3: Combine the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce mixture. Then, transfer the entire mixture to the greased baking dish. On top of this mouthwatering concoction, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 4: Bake your creation in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the cheese is beautifully melted, and the pasta is warmed through.
Step 5: Finally, garnish your Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Cheese with freshly chopped parsley before serving. The vibrant green parsley not only adds a pop of color but also a burst of freshness to your dish. Enjoy this delightful meal with your loved ones!