Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs is a comforting, hearty dish that combines the rich flavors of tender meatballs with the satisfying texture of perfectly cooked spaghetti, all enveloped in a savory tomato sauce and topped with a golden layer of melted cheese. It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for a Sunday dinner, a holiday gathering, or even a cozy weeknight meal. The dish is incredibly versatile, and you can easily adapt it to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a meaty, cheesy, or vegetarian version.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

Making meatballs from scratch is a key step in achieving a tender, juicy texture. Here’s how to make them perfectly.

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix everything gently with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough.

2. Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly. You should end up with around 20-24 meatballs.

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3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You don’t need to cook them all the way through, as they will finish cooking in the oven.

4. Transfer to a Plate: Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Keep the rendered fat and juices in the pan—this will add flavor to your sauce.

Step 2: Make the Tomato Sauce

1. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet used to brown the meatballs, add a tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

2. Deglaze the Pan (Optional): If you’re using red wine, pour it into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer for about 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol and concentrate the flavor.

3. Add the Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), oregano, and basil. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes to meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

4. Return the Meatballs: Gently add the browned meatballs to the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top of each meatball, making sure they’re mostly submerged. Cover and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.

Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti

1. Boil the Pasta: While the meatballs are simmering, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together.

2. Drain the Pasta: Once the spaghetti is al dente, drain the pasta and return it to the pot. You can toss the pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Assemble the Baked Spaghetti

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

2. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with a generous amount of the tomato sauce, ensuring each strand is coated in the flavorful sauce. You can add a bit of grated Parmesan to the pasta if you like extra cheesiness.

3. Layer the Meatballs: Spread a layer of the sauced pasta into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then, place the meatballs evenly on top. Spoon more sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they’re well-coated.

4. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire dish. Add a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Step 5: Bake the Spaghetti and Meatballs

1. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown around the edges.

2. Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired.

Tips and Variations for Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

1. Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs work well, fresh basil, oregano, and parsley will elevate the flavor of your sauce and meatballs. If you have access to fresh herbs, try to incorporate them into your sauce or as a garnish.

2. Customize the Meatballs: If you’re looking for a different flavor profile, you can try using a mix of ground beef and ground pork or even ground turkey. You can also add finely grated carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms to the meatball mixture for added moisture and nutrients.

3. Cheese Choices: While mozzarella is the traditional choice for baked spaghetti, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Fontina, provolone, or even a bit of ricotta mixed in with the mozzarella can add a unique twist to the dish.

4. Make Ahead: This dish can easily be made ahead of time. Assemble everything, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and cook as directed.

5. Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian take on this dish, you can make vegetarian meatballs using plant-based ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, or tofu. Alternatively, you can skip the meatballs altogether and create a baked spaghetti casserole with plenty of cheese, sauce, and vegetables.

6. Spicy Version: If you like a bit of spice, you can kick up the heat in the tomato sauce by adding extra red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper. You can also use spicy sausage for the meatballs or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.

7. Serving Suggestions: Baked spaghetti and meatballs is a hearty, filling dish that pairs wonderfully with a side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. You can even serve it with a glass of red wine for an extra special touch.

Conclusion

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs is the epitome of comfort food. It combines savory meatballs, a rich marinara sauce, tender spaghetti, and melted cheese to create a dish that is both satisfying and comforting. The steps may seem a bit involved, but the process is well worth it, and the result is a dish that will leave your family and friends asking for seconds.

By making your own meatballs and sauce, you ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor, while the cheesy, baked topping adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re enjoying it as a weeknight dinner or preparing it for a special occasion, baked spaghetti and meatballs is a dish that never goes out of style.

Yield: 6

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

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Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs is a comforting, hearty dish that combines the rich flavors of tender meatballs with the satisfying texture of perfectly cooked spaghetti, all enveloped in a savory tomato sauce and topped with a golden layer of melted cheese. It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for a Sunday dinner, a holiday gathering, or even a cozy weeknight meal. The dish is incredibly versatile, and you can easily adapt it to suit your preferences, whether you prefer a meaty, cheesy, or vegetarian version.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian style)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
• For the Spaghetti:
• 12 oz spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
• 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Meatballs:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully incorporated.
• Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (about 18-20 meatballs).
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). You don’t need to cook them all the way through since they’ll finish cooking in the oven.

2. Cook the Spaghetti:

• While the meatballs are browning, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Assemble the Dish:

• In a large baking dish, spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss it with the sauce to coat evenly.
• Place the browned meatballs on top of the spaghetti.
• Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs and pasta.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the top.

4. Bake the Spaghetti and Meatballs:

• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

5. Serve:

• Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Meatball Variations: You can mix beef with pork or turkey for a leaner version. For added flavor, try adding a bit of Italian sausage to the meatball mixture.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer. This dish also makes great leftovers.

Cheese: Feel free to add extra cheese, like provolone or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar, for a different flavor.

Vegetarian Option: You can substitute the meatballs with vegetarian alternatives (like lentil or veggie meatballs) for a plant-based version.