Description
Southern Baked Spaghetti is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender spaghetti noodles with a rich, savory meat sauce, melted cheese, and Southern-inspired seasonings. Easy to prepare and baked in one dish, it’s perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers, offering nostalgic flavors with layers of cheesy, savory goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef or ground pork
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese or 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup diced green peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- Prep the Pasta: Boil the spaghetti noodles in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside, as the noodles will finish cooking in the oven while soaking up the flavors.
- Cook the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef or pork and cook until fully browned. Drain any excess fat. Stir in tomato sauce and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Cheese and Sauce: Add cream cheese or shredded cheddar cheese to the meat sauce, stirring until melted and creamy, creating a rich texture that gives the dish its signature gooeyness.
- Assemble the Dish: Mix the cooked spaghetti noodles into the cheesy meat sauce until well combined. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese on top for a golden, melty crust.
- Bake Until Bubbling: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes to retain moisture, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
Notes
- Slightly undercook pasta since it will soften further in the oven.
- Drain fat from cooked meat to avoid greasy dish.
- Do not skimp on cheese for a perfect melty topping.
- Cover casserole with foil during the first half of baking to keep moisture, then uncover to brown cheese.
- Let the baked spaghetti rest for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing and flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Southern Baked Spaghetti, baked pasta, comfort food, cheesy spaghetti, family dinner, Southern cooking
