Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe- Spaghetti Casserole

This will be the best Baked Spaghetti Recipe you will ever make!

What is the best Baked Spaghetti Recipe? 

This is the best baked spaghetti recipe because unlike the traditional Italian versions, there is no Mozzarella. Instead, I add in layers of Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Pepperoni. The trio combination along with my HOMEMADE meat sauce creates an incredibly wicked good, cheesy spaghetti dish. Once you have tried my Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe once, it will be a favorite choice to make again and again!

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

They say, "It's all about the sauce." I say, "It is all about the sauce and the cheese!" I have been making Baked Spaghetti Casserole for years, each time playing with the recipe until it has become absolutely PERFECT!

I have made spaghetti casserole for my girls-night-in. I have made it for teacher's luncheons. I have made it for family gatherings. I have made it for get-well drop off dinners. It has become a requested meal for me to make because EVERYONE has loved it. Everyone also asks for the recipe. And guess what? Because I love my readers so much, you are in luck, because I am sharing my recipe with you also! You are welcome!

How to make Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Follow easy steps on how to make baked spaghetti casserole:

• Make the homemade spaghetti meat sauce. You can do this ahead of time if you prefer.
• Add the meat sauce to the bottom of the pan.
• Add half of  the pasta noodles.
• Cover it with half of the meat sauce.
• Next add a layer of Monterey Jack Cheese.
• Add in the remaining sauce.
• Top with the remaining pasta noodles.
• Add a layer of cheddar cheese.
• Finish with a layer of Pepperoni, because why not? Pepperoni really makes this dish WICKED GOOD!
• Bake until cheese is completely melted and pepperoni is crispy.

How good does this baked spaghetti casserole look? I mean seriously… How could you not want a plate of this?

Just cut out a chunk and put it on a plate. I like to serve it with a warm loaf of homemade garlic bread. I also make a nice Italian salad to go with it. My homemade Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad dressing can  be whipped up in less than five minutes. It is the perfect salad dressing to go with this dish. End it with my easy Southern banana pudding or Chocolate Cherry Sheet Cake and you will have one killer homemade meal!! Your family and friends will swear it is the BEST MEAL EVER!!

Can you freeze freeze spaghetti?

You can easily freeze spaghetti. The best way to freeze this spaghetti casserole recipe is to follow the instructions until it is time to bake in the oven. From there, cover it tightly with saran wrap and then a layer of tinfoil. This will protect it better from freezer burn. Thaw it out completely, then bake according to directions. If you have already baked it, you can freeze the leftovers in a freezer container, thaw, and reheat it when you are ready to eat.

*Cooking Tip: Whenever possible, use freshly grated cheese. It has more flavor and I swear it melts better.

*Cooking Tip: My baked spaghetti recipe, adds layers of homemade sauce to the bottom of the 13x9 baking pan. This keeps the pasta from sticking. Don't cut corners and buy premade jar sauce. It isn't the same and it won't be as good. I promise it is worth the effort to make your own sauce.

*Cooking Tip: I like this recipe with regular spaghetti noodles because of the hardy texture. My husband prefers this recipe with angel hair pasta. Both are great in this recipe, so use the pasta type you like.

This is home cooking at its best. You are going to love this recipe. And when you do, please share it with your friends. After all "cooking good food is love made visible." So share the love.

If you like this recipe, check out:

• Easy Chicken and Pastry
• Santillana’s Homemade Meatballs with Marinara
• Crock-Pot Pepperoncini Roast

Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe

Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe- Spaghetti Casserole

This is the best Baked Spaghetti Recipe ever. Layers of Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheese, Pepperoni, & homemade meat sauce creates an amazing dish.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 686kcal

Author: Katie Crenshaw

Ingredients

• 28 oz can diced tomatoes28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 28 oz can tomato sauce28 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 crushed garlic cloves2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp basil1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning1/2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp oregano1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp celery salt1/2 tsp celery salt
• 1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp brown sugar1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water1/2 cup water
• 2 lbs ground beef2 lbs ground beef
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded8 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 8 oz sliced pepperoni8 oz sliced pepperoni
• 12 oz box of spaghetti or angel hair pasta12 oz box of spaghetti or angel hair pasta

Instructions

• In a large stock pot, cook tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, bell pepper, garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, oregano, celery salt, salt, pepper, and brown sugar at medium heat and bring to a boil.
• Cover, then reduce heat and simmer for one hour.
• Crumble and cook ground beef.
• Add ground beef and water to stock pot and cook an additional 20 minutes.
• Cook pasta noodles according to directions.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In large 13x9 in pan lightly cover pan with meat sauce. About a ½ cup.
• Add ½ pasta noodles. Layer half of meat sauce.
• Layer Monterey Jack cheese. Layer remaining pasta noodles.
• Layer remaining meat sauce. Layer Cheddar Cheese. Cover cheese with pepperoni slices.
• Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and pepperoni is crispy.
• Let it rest for 5 minutes, then serve in squares.

Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

Calories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1488mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 880IU | Vitamin C: 23.7mg | Calcium: 402mg | Iron: 4.6mg

Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!

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