This Southern baked spaghetti casserole is unlike traditional Italian versions because there is no Mozzarella.
Instead, layers of Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and pepperoni are added.
The trio combination along with a HOMEMADE meat sauce creates an incredibly wicked good, cheesy pasta dish.
Once you have tried my Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe once, it will be a favorite choice to make again and again!
Watch how to make
It will be the best Baked Spaghetti you will ever make!
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make this homemade baked spaghetti:
- canned diced tomatoes
- tomato sauce
- ground beef- You can substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Monterrey Jack cheese-freshly grated
- garlic
- salt
- pepperoni- You can substitute with turkey pepperoni.
- spaghetti- You can substitute with angle hair pasta. My husband prefers the angle hair pasta, and I prefer the traditional spaghetti noodles.
- pepper
- bell pepper
- brown sugar
- onion-You can substitute with onion powder.
- cheddar cheese-freshly grated
- basil-fresh or dried
- celery salt- or celery seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- oregano-fresh or dried
Note-Full recipe with complete ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Steps to make baked spaghetti casserole
Follow easy steps on how to make baked spaghetti casserole:
- 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 30 minutes.
- Cook pasta noodles according to directions.
- In large 13x9 in pan lightly cover pan with meat sauce. About a 1 cup.
- Add ½ pasta noodles. Layer half of meat sauce. Layer remaining meat sauce.
- Layer Monterey Jack cheese.
- Layer remaining pasta noodles. Layer remaining meat sauce.
- Layer Cheddar Cheese.
- Finish with a layer of Pepperoni, because why not? Pepperoni really makes this dish WICKED GOOD!
- Bake 30 minutes until cheese is completely melted and pepperoni is crispy.
They say, "It's all about the sauce." I say, "It is all about the sauce and the cheese!" I
I have been making Baked Spaghetti Casserole for years, each time playing with the recipe until it has become absolutely PERFECT!
Just cut out a chunk and put it on a plate. I like to serve it with a warm loaf of homemade garlic bread and homemade Southern sweet tea.
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.
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:
- Stuffed Italian Sausages
- Easy Chicken and Pastry
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
- Southern Cornbread Dressing
- Santillana’s Homemade Meatballs with Marinara
- Crock-Pot Pepperoncini Roast
- Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup
Please leave me a comment below if you make this baked spaghetti and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your spaghetti casserole on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
Recipe
Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe- Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 28 ounces can diced tomatoes
- 28 ounces can tomato sauce
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- 8 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 12 ounces 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.28 ounces can diced tomatoes, 28 ounces can tomato sauce, 1 small onion, 1 bell pepper, 2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon celery salt, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Cover, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 ninutes
- Crumble and cook ground beef.2 pounds ground beef
- Add ground beef and water to stock pot and cook an additional 30 minutes.
- Cook spaghetti noodles according to directions.12 ounces box of spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 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.8 ounces Monterey jack cheese,
- Layer remaining pasta noodles. Layer remaining meat sauce. Layer Cheddar Cheese. Cover cheese with pepperoni slices.
- Layer Cheddar Cheese.8 ounces cheddar cheese
- Cover cheese with pepperoni slices.8 ounces sliced pepperoni
- Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and pepperoni is crispy.
