Here’s a classic, comforting Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe—cheesy, saucy, and perfect for dinner:
🍝 Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
🔹 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce & Pasta:
- 12 oz spaghetti (uncooked)
- 2 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Optional: 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Optional: 1 tsp red pepper flakes for heat
🔹 Instructions
1. Prepare meatballs
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- Roll into 1–1.5 inch balls
- Optional: brown meatballs in a skillet 2–3 minutes per side for extra flavor
2. Cook pasta
- Boil spaghetti 1–2 minutes less than package instructions (will finish baking in oven)
- Drain
3. Assemble
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- In a large baking dish, mix cooked spaghetti, marinara sauce, and meatballs
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan
4. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly
5. Serve
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley
🔹 Tips
- Use leftover spaghetti sauce or homemade for richer flavor
- Add veggies like bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for faster weeknight meals
I can also give you a one-pot baked spaghetti recipe that skips boiling pasta first and still comes out creamy and cheesy.
Do you want me to do that?
