Southern Baked Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Southern Baked Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious, layered dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender spaghetti, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese. This Southern classic is perfect for feeding a crowd, offering a comforting, hearty meal for weeknights or potlucks. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this casserole will be a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern, American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced onion until fully cooked; drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, eggs, and milk. Mix well.
- Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Top with half of the meat sauce, then layer with half of the cottage cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheeses.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use ricotta instead of cottage cheese.
- Add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition.
- This casserole freezes well; just thaw and bake when ready to enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg