That sounds amazing! Are you looking for a recipe for Irresistible Baked Spaghetti with Hearty Meat Sauce? If so, I can help you with that! Here’s a delicious version that will give you a comforting, cheesy, and flavorful dish.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 2 tbsp tomato sugar (or a pinch of sugar)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
For the Baked Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti (or your preferred pasta)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tbsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions:
- Cook the Spaghetti:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook your spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Hearty Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet or pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 6-7 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Add in the tomato sugar (or sugar), basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add the bay leaf. Let the sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop the flavors. Remove the bay leaf before assembling the pasta.
- Assemble the Baked Spaghetti:
- Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix the cooked spaghetti with the ricotta cheese (if using), half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan in a large bowl.
- Pour half of the meat sauce over the pasta and toss to combine.
- Transfer the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden on top.
- Serve:
- Let the baked spaghetti sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Enjoy the cheesy, hearty goodness! What do you think? Would you add anything special to this recipe, or is it perfect as it is?