This baked spaghetti casserole is a delicious dinner that will become one of your regular dinners. My Kim friend Kim has made it for us many times so I had to have the recipe. A comforting casserole with plenty of melted cheese, is the perfect dish for potlucks, family gatherings, or when you want to take a friend a meal. My family loves Italian meals like crock pot lasagna. We also love these easy skillet meals. Typically you will find pasta casseroles are crowd pleasing. A few variations and jarred sauce and you have spaghetti pie, another family favorite meal. It makes two pies, and can be frozen ahead! It doesn’t get easier than that. Two meals for the work of one. This baked spaghetti recipe can also be frozen.
Baked Spaghetti
You will love the simple homemade tomato sauce that covers the spaghetti noodles. While it takes time to simmer the tomato sauce goes together quickly. Use the time to make a beautiful salad. The cheddar cheese tops it off perfectly. A kid pleasing meal for sure.
If you need something gluten free just use gluten free noodles and skip the bread.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
This delicious baked spaghetti will be requested again and again for potlucks and family gatherings. It’s especially popular with all that love cheese. Add a tossed salad and garlic bread, and dinner is ready.
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium green pepper (, chopped)
- 2 medium onions (, chopped)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 – 6 ounce cans of tomato paste
- 2 – 28 cans whole tomatoes (, pureed)
- 1 – 8 ounce canned mushrooms (, drained)
- 1 pound spaghetti ((Barilla gluten free is what I used))
- 2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese
Saute
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Brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, green pepper and onions in a skillet. Once cooked, drain fat.
Simmer
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Mix together 1/2 cup olive oil, cans of tomato paste, cans of tomatoes and drained mushrooms. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
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Once sauce is finished add ground beef mixture.
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Cook 1 pound spaghetti and drain. Place spaghetti is large 3 quart casserole dish. Place sauce on top of spaghetti and top with grated cheddar cheese. Bake 350 for about 30-40 minutes.
Once baked you have a yummy meal! Did you know cooked spaghetti freezes beautifully? This baked spaghetti makes a tone so I can divide have one to serve and one to freeze. For making ahead the only difference in the directions would be to follow all the steps until it says to put it in the oven. At that point, top with foil and freeze. Make sure you choose a freeze safe container. Remove from the freezer the day before you plan on serving so it can defrost in the refrigerator. If you don’t remember to remove it, you can expect your cook time to be about an hour long at least.
While your spaghetti bakes whip up a Toll House Pie and let it bake while you eat. This would be a great menu for company!
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