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Cheesy baked spaghetti and meatballs is cozy comfort in one dish. Tender spaghetti, hearty meatballs, and plenty of melted cheese bake together into a family-friendly meal that’s as easy as it is satisfying. Everything cooks up in the oven, no boiling, no fuss, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Got leftovers? Our fried spaghetti recipe turns day-old pasta into a crispy, cheesy skillet dinner worth planning for.
Why This Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Works
No-boil convenience: The pasta cooks right in the sauce, saving time and dishes.
One-dish dinner: Spaghetti, meatballs, and cheese bake together for a complete meal in a single pan.
Cheesy comfort: A layer of gooey mozzarella melts into every bite, with extra Parmesan for flavor.
Make-ahead option: Assemble in advance, refrigerate, then bake when you’re ready.
For another cheesy favorite, our spinach and artichoke pasta bake is every bit as rich and comforting as it sounds.
Recipe Tips
Undercook the pasta slightly: It will finish baking in the oven, so pull it a minute or two shy of al dente.
Use enough sauce: Make sure the spaghetti is fully coated in sauce so it cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.
Cover, then uncover: Bake covered with foil to keep the pasta moist, then uncover near the end for a golden, bubbly top.
Mix cheeses for best flavor: A blend of mozzarella for stretch and Parmesan for sharpness makes the dish richer.
Let it rest before serving: A short 5–10 minute rest helps the casserole set so slices hold together.
Make ahead or freeze: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance, or freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from the fridge (or thawed from the freezer) until hot and bubbly.
For another easy, family-style dinner, our crockpot goulash delivers the same hearty comfort with set-it-and-forget-it ease.
Serving Ideas
This cheesy baked spaghetti recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something easy that the whole family can dig into.
Serve warm with a tossed green salad and Texas toast garlic bread for an easy dinner your family’s sure to savor. Here are some more serving suggestions.
Substitutions and Variations
Change things up with different variations of meatballs. Here are some ideas
One Dish Baked Spaghetti Dinner
Cheesy baked spaghetti and meatballs brings all the comfort of a classic pasta dinner in one easy, oven-baked dish. With tender noodles, hearty meatballs, and a blanket of melted cheese, it’s simple enough for a weeknight but cozy enough to share with family and friends.
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Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
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Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs , or crushed crackers
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ package onion soup mix
- 1 pound lean ground beef
For the Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
- 16 ounces dry spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 to 3 sprigs fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Mix the Meatballs (or use frozen meatballs)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Add the breadcrumbs, egg, and chicken broth to a large bowl and let the breadcrumbs soak for a few minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan and onion soup mix then add the ground beef and mix gently until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 15 to 18 meatballs (about 1-½ inches big). Set the meatballs aside.
Assemble the Baked Spaghetti
- Spread the dry pasta into the baking dish and drizzle olive oil over the top. Pour the marinara sauce and chicken broth over the noodles.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Use tongs to lift the pasta and toss the mixture until well combined. Make sure the sauce completely coats the pasta and gets to the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Arrange the meatballs on top of the pasta. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake, covered for 35 minutes then remove the aluminum foil and give everything a good stir. Wiggle the tongs between the meatballs and scrape the bottom and sides of the dish. Twist the tongs a bit to make sure the sauce falls between and under the pasta.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
- Top the dish with Mozzarella cheese and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle chopped basil over the top and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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