Creamy Alfredo meets cheesy baked pasta in this viral Baked Alfredo Spaghetti. Layers of pasta, Alfredo sauce, and cheese baked to bubbly perfection. Add a fresh Italian Chopped Antipasto Salad and Roasted Garlic and Tomato Focaccia bread for a complete meal!
Simple ingredients, big comfort food vibes. Budget-friendly, family-approved, and guaranteed to satisfy.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
The baked spaghetti casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. This easy-to-follow recipe combines the rich flavors of creamy Alfredo sauce with tender spaghetti, all topped with gooey cheese.
This viral recipe combines the classic flavors of spaghetti and Alfredo sauce with the gooey goodness of melted cheese.
- Quick and Easy: With an easy prep and simple pantry ingredients, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Friendly: The creamy Alfredo sauce, cheesy topping, and tender pasta create a delicious and filling meal.
- Comfort Food: This hearty dish is sure to warm you up on chilly nights and provide a satisfying meal for the whole family.
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Ingredients Overview
You'll need spaghetti (or any pasta you prefer), ground beef, a jar of spaghetti sauce, a jar of Alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese, minced onion and garlic, some milk, and Mozzarella cheese to make this hearty, filling casserole.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make This Alfredo Spaghetti Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Prepare a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Add the Marinara 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.
Step 5: Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the cream and bring to a low simmer then add the Parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Stir the Alfredo sauce into the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat evenly.
Alfredo Sauce Hack
To save time, you can use a jar of store bought Alfredo sauce.
Step 7: Transfer the Alfredo and spaghetti to the casserole dish, spreading to create an even layer.
Step 8: Add the meat Marinara sauce on top of the Alfredo spaghetti layer in the casserole.
Step 9: Evenly spread the meat Marinara mixture over the top of the Alfredo spaghetti.
Step 10: Top the meat sauce with the shredded Mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven or until the cheese has melted and edges bubbly.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is a delicious and satisfying meal that's perfect for a crowd, planned leftovers, or a buffet setting. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad or a side of soft Italian garlic breadsticks for a complete meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- Primavera style - dice up red and green bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and a small zucchini squash. Toss in with the onions the last 5 minutes and saute until just slightly cooked. Layer Primavera and Marinara mixture on top of the Alfredo spaghetti layer.
- Different Meats: Instead of ground beef, try cooked Italian sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, or ground turkey for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese Blends: While Parmesan is and mozzarella are classic, try provolone, or a touch of Asiago to the Alfredo sauce or as a topping for varied melt and flavor.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this recipe:
- 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.
Storage Options
Some recommended storage options for this recipe are:
- Refrigerated: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: To freeze, ensure the casserole is completely cooled. You can freeze individual portions or the entire casserole. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through, adding a splash of milk or broth if it seems dry. To reheat a whole casserole (thawed or frozen), cover it with foil and bake in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot in the center, removing the foil for the last 10-15 minutes if you want the cheese topping to re-crisp.
Related Recipes
- Roasted Romanesco
- Italian Chopped Antipasto Salad
- Heirloom Tomato and Bread Salad
- White Seafood Lasagna
- Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil
Frequently Asked Questions
While spaghetti is classic, you could use other pasta shapes like penne, fettuccine, or ziti. Adjust cooking times as needed for al dente results.
While a homemade Alfredo sauce is often preferred for flavor, you can certainly use your favorite jarred Alfredo sauce for convenience. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Ensure your pasta isn't overcooked initially, and make sure there's enough sauce to coat everything. Covering the casserole with foil for most of the baking time also helps retain moisture.
For a beautiful golden crust, remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. You can also briefly place it under the broiler, watching carefully to prevent burning.
More Delish Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Baked Alfredo Spaghetti
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
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 cheese2 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.
Sue Wallace says
Delicious, I'm making this again!