• Ree's Life
  • Food and Recipes
  • Home and Life
  • Holiday
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • News and Entertainment
  • Giveaways
  • Subscribe
  • New: Ree's Best Family Meals
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
  • About The Pioneer Woman
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
sign in
Subscribe
Search
Logo
sign in
Subscribe
Search
Logo
  • Ree's LifeDown
  • ShoppingDown
  • Easy RecipesDown
  • OccasionsDown
  • HomeDown
  • Just For FunDown
  • My RecipesMy Recipes
  • NewsletterNewsletter
  • Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices
  • Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
sign in
Subscribe
  • Ree's Life
  • Shopping
  • Easy Recipes
  • Occasions
  • Home
  • Just For Fun
  • More
  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

It's packed with hearty meat sauce and lots of cheese!

By Ree DrummondPublished: Sep 10, 2024
Star FillStar FillStar FillHalf StarStar
3.7
3 Ratings
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
pioneer woman baked spaghetti
Ryan Liebe
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr

When I think of comfort food a big heaping plate of pasta always comes to mind. (I'm looking at you, Chicken Spaghetti!) I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love pasta! This baked spaghetti is one of the easiest yet tastiest creations I've made yet. It's sure to please any picky eaters in your life (it's like a mash-up of lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce). It's perfect to bring to a potluck and is easy to double or triple to serve a big crowd. You could mix it up and do half ground beef and half Italian sausage, or even ground chicken or ground turkey. I like to top mine with some extra parmesan cheese, too!

Is baked spaghetti the same as lasagna?

Baked spaghetti and lasagna have some similar ingredients but they aren't exactly the same. Lasagna uses wide, flat lasagna noodles while this baked spaghetti uses spaghetti noodles. Lasagna also has more layers, which this baked spaghetti is a mixed up into one gooey casserole.

How do you keep baked spaghetti from drying out?
The key to keeping your baked spaghetti nice and saucy is to follow the ratio of pasta to sauce and also to not over-bake it! When reheating in the oven, I suggest covering with foil so it doesn't dry out too much.

Do you rinse the noodles for baked spaghetti?
No! It's best not rinse your noodles after you drain them because they are covered in a nice starchy coating that helps the sauce thicken when you mix it all up.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp.

    salted butter, plus more for the baking dish

  • 1 tsp.

    kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 lb.

    spaghetti

  • 1 lb.

    ground beef

  • 1/2 tsp.

    garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp.

    onion powder

  • 1/4 tsp.

    red pepper flakes

  • 1

    32-ounce jar marinara sauce

  • 1 cup

    ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups

    shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 1/4 cup

    grated parmesan cheese

  • 1/4 cup

    fresh basil, torn

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 400˚. Butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside. 
    2. Step 2Melt the butter in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef, 1 teaspoon salt, the garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. 
    3. Step 3Stir the marinara sauce into the beef, bring to a simmer and cook about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, then stir in the cooked spaghetti and ricotta. Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the mozzarella and parmesan on top and bake until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Top with the basil.
Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Beef Stroganoff
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Sausage and Kale Baked Pasta
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Readers Also Read

the pioneer woman's turkey brine recipe

Ree's Signature Turkey Brine

the pioneer woman's creamy mashed potatoes recipe

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

pecan pie

Ree's Classic Pecan Pie

how long to cook a turkey

How Long to Cook a Turkey in the Oven

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
pioneer woman thanksgiving dressing

Classic Thanksgiving Dressing

the pioneer woman's roasted thanksgiving turkey recipe

The Only Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe You Need

the pioneer woman's easy to peel eggs recipe

This Hard-Boiled Egg Method Makes for Easy Peeling

best thanksgiving sides

Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Serve With Your Feast

the pioneer woman's chocolate peanut butter pie recipe

Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie for Dessert

the pioneer woman's macaroni and cheese recipe

Ree's Mac And Cheese Is The Ultimate Comfort Food

high protein thanksgiving recipes giblet gravy

Turn Giblets Into the Best Gravy On The Table

the pioneer woman's green bean casserole recipe

The Best Green Bean Casserole You'll Ever Try

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
SubscribeAbout The Pioneer WomanOther Hearst SubscriptionsNewsletter
A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSitemap
Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads