Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 400g spaghetti
- Water (for boiling)
- 1 tablespoon salt
For the Meat Sauce
- 400–500g ground beef
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
For Assembly
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente (slightly firm).
Drain and set aside. Do not overcook—it will continue cooking in the oven.
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and slightly golden.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Step 3: Build the Flavor
Stir in:
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- Oregano and basil
- Sugar (optional)
Let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes until thick and rich.
Step 4: Combine Pasta & Sauce
Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce and mix well until every strand is coated.
This step is important—it ensures the pasta absorbs the flavor.
Step 5: Assemble
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Transfer the spaghetti mixture into a greased baking dish.
Top with:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until:
- Cheese is melted and bubbly
- Top is slightly golden
For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Step 7: Serve
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you like.
Texture & Taste
- Top: Slightly crispy, cheesy crust
- Middle: Soft, juicy pasta with rich sauce
- Flavor: Savory, slightly tangy, comforting
Tips for Perfect Baked Spaghetti
1. Don’t Overcook Pasta
Keep it al dente so it doesn’t turn mushy.
2. Use Enough Sauce
Pasta absorbs sauce while baking—more is better.
3. Add Cheese Inside (Optional)
Mix some cheese into the pasta for extra creaminess.
4. Let It Rest
This helps everything set and makes serving easier.
Variations
Creamy Version
Add ½ cup cream or béchamel sauce.
Spicy Version
Add chili flakes or hot sauce.
Extra Cheesy
Use cheddar + mozzarella mix.
Chicken Version
Replace beef with shredded chicken.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven or microwave
- Can be frozen (without cheese for best results)
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe combines:
- The richness of meat sauce
- The comfort of pasta
- The indulgence of melted cheese
Baking brings everything together into one dish that’s deeply flavorful and satisfying.
Final Answer 😄
YES — definitely YES.
This is the kind of meal nobody says no to