Description
A delicious and comforting spaghetti casserole loaded with ground beef, marinara sauce, and three types of cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top. Arrange the mini pepperoni, black olives, and chopped bell pepper over the cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier rendition, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg