Baked Alfredo Spaghetti

5 from 3 votes

Baked Alfredo Spaghetti is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you are short on time or energy. Not only comforting and tasty, but you also get the added bonus of having a hearty meal.

Prep Time20

Cook Time25

Total Time45

Course: Main Dishes, Pasta

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Calories: 862kcal

Author: Kelly Bloom

Equipment

Ceramic 9x13 Casserole Dish
Colander

Ingredients

16 oz uncooked spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning blend
24 oz Marinara sauce jarred
4 oz butter 1 stick
2 cup cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese grated, pizza type or fresh grated
2 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Prepare a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
Heat a pot of water on high until boiling and start cooking the spaghetti according to the instructions on the box. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive so it does not stick together. Set cooked spaghetti aside in a a large bowl for later.
16 oz uncooked spaghetti
Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium high heat. Break the ground beef up as it cooks. Drain excess fat off and keep in the skillet.
1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion, 4 cloves garlic
Add the Marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet of beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes while preparing the Alfredo sauce.
24 oz Marinara sauce, 2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning blend
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a low simmer, stirring often. When the sauce starts to thicken slightly add the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue simmering, stirring often as sauce thickens. Remove from heat when sauce easily coats the spoon.
4 oz butter, 2 cup cream, 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Stir the Alfredo sauce into the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat evenly. Transfer the Alfredo and spaghetti to the casserole dish, spreading to create and even layer.
Evenly spread the meat Marinara mixture evenly over the top of the Alfredo spaghetti. Top the meat sauce with the shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 cup Mozzarella cheese
Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven or until the cheese has melted and edges bubbly.

Notes

Brown Your Ground Beef Well: Before adding it to the casserole, ensure your ground beef is thoroughly browned and any excess grease is drained. This builds a foundational flavor for the dish.
Don't Overcook the Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti slightly al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents it from becoming mushy in the finished casserole.
Layer Evenly: When assembling the casserole, distribute the ingredients, especially the meat sauce and Alfredo, as evenly as possible. This ensures every serving has a good mix of flavors and textures.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly grated Parmesan or mozzarella melts smoother and tastes better in the Alfredo sauce and as a topping.
Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve clean portions.

Nutrition