Ultimate Baked Angel Hair Spaghetti
Savor the rich, comforting flavors of this Ultimate Baked Angel Hair Spaghetti, inspired by Paula Deen. This dish features tender angel hair pasta enveloped in a robust, homemade tomato sauce that combines the freshness of diced tomatoes, herbs, and spices, complemented by the savory depth of simmered ground beef. The gooey layers of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese create an irresistible creamy texture that ties the entire dish together. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this baked spaghetti can easily be prepped ahead of time and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Just follow the recipe as written for best results, as increasing the pasta can lead to dryness in the dish. Enjoy a warm slice of nostalgia that brings everyone to the table!
8
Servings
325
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
canned diced tomatoes
2 cups (canned)
tomato sauce
2 cups (canned)
water
1 cup (none)
diced onion
1/2 cup (diced)
diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup (diced)
garlic
2 cloves (chopped)
fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup (chopped)
Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
bay leaves
2 small (none)
ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (crumbled)
uncooked angel hair pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
grated cheddar cheese
1 cup (grated)
grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a large stockpot, combine diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, sugar, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot, allowing it to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4
In a separate large skillet, crumble the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
5
Add the cooked ground beef to the simmering sauce and let it continue to simmer uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
6
While the sauce is simmering, cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
7
In a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the prepared sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked angel hair pasta on top of the sauce.
8
Sprinkle a generous portion of both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the pasta. Repeat with another layer of sauce, the remaining pasta, and another portion of cheese, finishing with a final layer of sauce on top.
9
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
10
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow cooling for a few minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
17.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultimate Baked Angel Hair Spaghetti?
It is a comforting baked pasta dish featuring thin angel hair pasta, a rich homemade meat sauce, and melted layers of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe for Ultimate Baked Angel Hair Spaghetti is inspired by Paula Deen.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 325 calories.
What kind of pasta is required?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of uncooked angel hair pasta.
Can I add more pasta to the recipe?
It is recommended to use only the specified amount of pasta, as adding more can lead to the dish becoming too dry.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long does the sauce need to simmer initially?
The sauce should simmer covered for 1 hour after reaching a boil.
What ingredients make up the homemade sauce?
The sauce is made from canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, diced onion, green bell pepper, garlic, parsley, and various seasonings.
Should the ground beef be cooked before adding it to the sauce?
Yes, the ground beef should be browned and drained of excess fat before being added to the simmering sauce.
How long do I simmer the sauce after adding the meat?
Simmer the sauce uncovered for an additional 20 minutes after adding the cooked ground beef.
What types of cheese are used in this dish?
The recipe uses a combination of 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese.
What is the layering process for the baking dish?
Layer thin sauce on the bottom, followed by half the pasta, cheese, more sauce, remaining pasta, more cheese, and a final layer of sauce.
How long does the spaghetti bake in the oven?
The dish is baked covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 5 minutes after adding more cheese.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes of baking.
How do I know when the dish is finished baking?
The dish is finished when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Can this meal be prepared in advance?
Yes, this baked spaghetti can easily be prepped ahead of time for family dinners or gatherings.
What herbs and spices are included in the seasoning?
The seasoning includes Italian seasoning, seasoning salt, sugar, and bay leaves.
How much ground beef is used?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef.
What size baking dish should I use?
Use a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 17.5g of protein.
Does the recipe include sugar?
Yes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar are added to balance the flavors in the tomato sauce.
Should I drain the diced tomatoes?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of canned diced tomatoes; you should use them with their juices unless specified otherwise.
How should the dish be served?
Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before cutting it into squares for serving.
What vegetables are diced for the sauce?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of diced onion and 1/2 cup of diced green bell pepper.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 15g of fat.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features tender pasta with a creamy, cheesy texture and a robust tomato meat sauce.
What is the total time the sauce simmers?
The sauce simmers for a total of 80 minutes (60 minutes initially and 20 minutes with the beef).
Are bay leaves left in the dish?
While the instructions don't explicitly say to remove them, bay leaves are typically removed before layering or serving.
Is this a good recipe for large families?
Yes, it is designed for 8 servings and is a crowd-pleasing comfort food ideal for family dinners.