Description
This Baked Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Ricotta is a comforting Italian-inspired casserole that combines savory seasoned ground beef, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella. It’s an easy, hearty dish perfect for family dinners and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably grass-fed)
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine (or 2 small)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 16 ounces spaghetti (gluten-free or regular)
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare it for baking the casserole later.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and stir with a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until it starts browning.
- Add aromatics and seasoning: Mix in the chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onions are tender, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Simmer with marinara: Pour in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Cook the spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, boil the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and transfer back to the pot while still hot.
- Toss spaghetti with ricotta: Stir the ricotta cheese into the hot spaghetti until evenly combined for a creamy texture.
- Assemble the casserole: Spoon a layer of the meat sauce into the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish. Layer half of the ricotta-spaghetti mixture on top, then half of the remaining meat sauce, followed by half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with a top layer of mozzarella.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier, meltier cheese layer if desired.
- Gluten-free spaghetti works well for those with dietary restrictions, but regular spaghetti can be used interchangeably.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
