Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe- Spaghetti Casserole

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

Baked Spaghetti Recipe 

Unlike the traditional Italian versions, there is no Mozzarella in the Baked Spaghetti Recipe. 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!

They say, “It’s all about the sauce.” I say, “It is all about the sauce and the cheese!”

Spaghetti Casserole

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!

My baked spaghetti recipe, adds layers of homemade sauce to the bottom of the 13×9 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.

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.

How to make Baked Spaghetti

After adding the meat sauce to the bottom of the pan, add half of my noodles. Then cover it with half of my sauce. Next add a layer of Monterey Jack Cheese.

Next, I add in the remaining sauce, the remaining noodles, and then a layer of cheddar cheese!

Finish with a layer of Pepperoni, because why not? Pepperoni really makes this dish WICKED GOOD! It comes out of the oven looking like this.

I mean seriously… How could you not want a plate of this?

Just cut out a chunk and put it on a plate.

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

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.

Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe

If you like this recipe, check out: Easy Chicken and Pastry, Santillana’s Homemade Meatballs with Marinara, and Crock-Pot Pepperoncini Roast.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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.

Cook Time2 hrs 20 mins

Total Time2 hrs 20 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: baked spaghetti, baked spaghetti recipe

Servings: 10

Calories: 686kcal

Ingredients

• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 28 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp celery salt
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 8 oz sliced pepperoni
• 12 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

Calories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1488mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 17.6% | Vitamin C: 28.7% | Calcium: 40.2% | Iron: 25.6%