Cheesy Loaded Spaghetti Bake
This Cheesy Loaded Spaghetti Bake is a beloved recipe from our church cookbook that always brings smiles around the dinner table. It features layers of perfectly cooked spaghetti combined with a hearty mix of savory ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, topped off with gooey cheddar cheese for that extra melty goodness. This dish is perfect for potlucks or family gatherings, and when I make it just for us, I love to prepare two pans—one to enjoy now and another to freeze for a busy day later. Everyone will eagerly dig into this comforting casserole, making it a crowd-pleaser!
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped onion
1 cup (chopped)
chopped green pepper
1 cup (chopped)
butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
cut-up tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (do not drain)
mushroom pieces
1 (4 ounce) can (drained)
sliced ripe olives
1 (2 ounce) can (drained)
oregano
2 teaspoons
ground beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
spaghetti
10 ounces (cooked and drained)
shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups
cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 ounce) can
water
1/4 cup
grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped onion and green pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3
Stir in the canned tomatoes (with juices), mushroom pieces, sliced olives, and oregano. Cook for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
4
Add the browned and drained ground beef to the skillet, stirring well, and simmer the mixture for an additional 10 minutes.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6
In a greased 13x9 inch baking pan, layer half of the cooked spaghetti on the bottom.
7
Spoon half of the meat mixture evenly over the spaghetti.
8
Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
9
Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat mixture, and top with the remaining cheese.
10
In a separate bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup with 1/4 cup of water until smooth; pour this mixture evenly over the assembled casserole.
11
Finish by sprinkling the top with the grated parmesan cheese.
12
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Loaded Spaghetti Bake?
It is a comforting casserole from a church cookbook featuring layers of spaghetti, savory ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and gooey cheddar cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the spaghetti bake need to stay in the oven?
It should be baked for 30-35 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
What size baking pan should be used?
A 13x9 inch baking pan is required for this recipe.
Can I freeze this spaghetti bake?
Yes, it is perfect for freezing; you can prepare an extra pan to enjoy on a busy day later.
What kind of meat is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef, which should be browned and drained.
What types of cheese are included?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Do I need to cook the spaghetti before assembly?
Yes, the spaghetti should be cooked and drained before being layered in the pan.
Should the canned tomatoes be drained?
No, you should use the canned tomatoes with their juices.
What vegetables are in the meat mixture?
The mixture includes chopped onion, green pepper, canned mushroom pieces, and sliced ripe olives.
How is the sauce for the top prepared?
It is made by mixing one 10-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup with 1/4 cup of water until smooth.
What herb is used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of oregano.
How long should I sauté the onions and peppers?
Sauté them in melted butter for about 5 minutes or until softened.
How many layers are there in the casserole?
There are two sets of layers: half the spaghetti, half the meat mixture, and 1 cup of cheese, repeated once.
How much spaghetti is needed?
You will need 10 ounces of spaghetti.
Is the pan covered while baking?
No, the casserole should be baked uncovered.
What is the first step in preparing the meat sauce?
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
When do I add the parmesan cheese?
The grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the top after pouring the soup mixture.
How long does the meat mixture simmer?
After adding the beef, let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.
What type of olives are used?
One 2-ounce can of drained sliced ripe olives is used.
How much cream of mushroom soup is required?
One 10-ounce can is needed for the topping.
What is the category of this recipe?
This is classified as a One Dish Meal.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include casserole, pasta, cheesy, beef, comfort food, potluck, family meal, and easy recipe.
How much chopped green pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped green pepper.
How much chopped onion is required?
You will need 1 cup of chopped onion.
What size can of tomatoes is used?
A 28-ounce can of cut-up tomatoes is required.
How much butter is needed for sautéing?
1 tablespoon of butter is used.
What size can of mushrooms is needed?
A 4-ounce can of mushroom pieces, drained, is used.
How do you know when the bake is finished?
It is done when it is heated through and the top is bubbly.