Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti

Easy Southern baked spaghetti is a hearty dish that can be served any night of the week. Perfect for anything from Sunday dinners, picnics, to potlucks, this easy pasta recipe is comfort food at its finest. Layers of noodles, sauce, and cheese…it doesn’t get any better. The best part is your kitchen will smell amazing as it cooks.

Ingredients For Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti

• Spaghetti Noodles
• Marinara or Pasta Sauce
• Ground Meat
• Onion
• Garlic
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese
• Butter
• Eggs
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, thyme paprika 

How To Make Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with cooking spray. 
2. Cook the spaghetti noodles until al dente. Drain the noodles. In a large bowl, toss the cooked noodles with the Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and whisked eggs. Mix until well combined. 
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce and seasonings. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
5. In the greased baking dish, spread half of the prepared spaghetti noodles, then half of the cottage cheese, then half of meat sauce, and finally half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layer, ending with the mozzarella cheese. 
6. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. 

What Is Baked Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti is an American comfort food where cooked spaghetti noodles are mixed with a tomato-based meat sauce & cheese and then baked in the oven. In the South, baked spaghetti is usually served with fried chicken or fried catfish, garlic bread & salad. 

What Type Of Sauce To Use

The sauce for the spaghetti recipe can be a homemade store-bought. Whether you use marinara or pasta sauce is up to you. Jazz up the sauce by adding seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. 

FAQs & Tips

• Baking this spaghetti casserole until the cheese bubbly& the top is golden. The baking time can vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of 
• Make the spaghetti sauce ahead of time! Prepare the casserole the night before & bake the day of. 
• Cook the spaghetti noodles until they are al dente, which means they still have a slight bite to them. Overcooking the noodles can result in a mushy texture. To maximize your time, while the noodles cook, prepare the spaghetti sauce if you haven’t already.
• This can be customized with your favorite veggies like bell peppers and mushrooms.
• Towards the end of cooking, keep an eye on the dish so the cheese doesn’t burn. 
• Allow the spaghetti casserole rest after you remove if from the oven before serving. 

Casserole Recipes

• Tuna Noodle
• Cornbread
• Green Bean
• Dorito
• Biscuits & Gravy
• Cheesy Hashbrown