Ultimate Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
This Ultimate Cheesy Spaghetti Bake is a family favorite that brings back warm memories and fills bellies with comfort. Rich, hearty, and loaded with cheesy goodness, this dish combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with a flavorful meat sauce, a creamy cheese mixture, and a golden topping that everyone will love. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Your kids will ask for seconds, and the adults will reminisce about their childhood every time you serve it. It's an easy recipe to make and one that promises to become a staple in your kitchen, just like it has in mine.
6
Servings
390
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
spaghetti
8 ounces (uncooked)
ground beef
1/2 lb (browned)
onion
1 (finely chopped)
spaghetti sauce
16 ounces
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
flour
2 tablespoons
evaporated milk
12 ounces
parmesan cheese
1 cup (shredded)
mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded, divided)
oregano
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
2
In a large pot, boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
3
While the spaghetti is cooking, in a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the finely chopped onion. Once browned, drain excess fat and return the mixture to the skillet.
4
Add the spaghetti sauce to the cooked meat and onion, stirring well. Incorporate the hot drained spaghetti into the skillet, mixing thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Transfer the spaghetti mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6
In a separate saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Gradually add the flour to create a roux, stirring constantly until golden.
7
Slowly whisk in the evaporated milk and keep stirring until combined and smooth. Lower the heat and incorporate the grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, stirring until melted and well blended.
8
Pour the creamy cheese mixture evenly over the spaghetti in the baking dish.
9
Top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle with parmesan and oregano.
10
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
11
Let it cool slightly before serving and enjoy your cheesy creation!
Nutrition Information
21g
Fat
32.5g
Carbs
19g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Cheesy Spaghetti Bake?
It is a hearty, family-friendly pasta dish featuring spaghetti, meat sauce, and a creamy cheese topping.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the calorie counts for this spaghetti bake?
There are 390 calories per serving.
What size baking dish do I need?
You will need a 13x9-inch baking dish.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How much spaghetti should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of uncooked spaghetti.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
It uses 1/2 lb of ground beef.
How do I prepare the ground beef?
The ground beef should be browned in a skillet along with a finely chopped onion and then drained of excess fat.
What goes into the creamy cheese mixture?
It is made by whisking evaporated milk into a butter and flour roux, then adding parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
How much evaporated milk is needed?
You will need 12 ounces of evaporated milk.
What kind of cheese is in the topping?
The topping consists of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano.
How long does the dish need to bake?
It needs to bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 19g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 21g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 32.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should generously grease the baking dish before adding the spaghetti mixture.
What is the first step in making the cheese sauce?
The first step is melting butter and gradually adding flour to create a roux.
How much parmesan cheese is used in total?
The recipe requires 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided between the sauce and the topping.
What herb is used for seasoning the top?
One teaspoon of oregano is sprinkled over the top before baking.
Should the spaghetti be fully cooked before baking?
The spaghetti should be boiled until it is al dente before being mixed with the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is tagged as kid-friendly and is a great meal for family gatherings.
Can I see the ingredient count?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
What type of sauce is used?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of spaghetti sauce.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
It is finished when the dish is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, letting it cool slightly before serving helps the layers set and improves the eating experience.
Is there any onion in this recipe?
Yes, one finely chopped onion is cooked with the ground beef.
How much butter is required?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter.
How much flour is required?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour.
Is salt and pepper included?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to taste during the preparation of the meat and sauce mixture.