Paula Deen Baked Spaghetti

This easy baked spaghetti dish is perfect for a comforting, family-friendly meal. It’s layered with a rich, flavorful meat sauce and topped with a melty cheese blend for that irresistible gooey finish. You can swap the cheeses or add your favorite veggies to make it your own using simple, everyday ingredients!

Ingredients Needed:

• 8 oz uncooked angel hair pasta
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Paula Deen Seasoned Salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 small bay leaves

How To Make Baked Spaghetti?

1. Prepare the sauce: In a stockpot, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasonings, sugar, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1 hour.
2. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, crumble the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat and add the beef to the sauce. Let it cook for another 20 minutes.
3. Cook the pasta: Boil the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set it aside.
4. Assemble the casserole: In a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish, cover the bottom with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of pasta, followed by slightly less than half of each cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with a final layer of sauce.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with the remaining cheese, and bake until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, about 5 more minutes.
6. Serve: Let it cool slightly, then cut it into squares before serving.

Recipe Tips:

• Simmer the Sauce Slowly: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for the full hour to deepen the flavors. Rushing this step can lead to a bland sauce.
• Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly undercook the pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. This keeps it from becoming mushy.
• Drain Ground Beef Well: After cooking the ground beef, drain the excess fat to avoid a greasy dish. It makes a big difference in texture and flavor.
• Layer Cheese Evenly: Spread the cheese evenly in each layer to ensure every bite gets that cheesy goodness. This also helps hold the dish together.
• Rest Before Cutting: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps the layers set and makes cutting into squares much easier.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover baked spaghetti cool until it reaches room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days to keep it fresh.
• Freeze: Let the baked spaghetti cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Put a portion of the baked spaghetti on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 6 servings)

• Calories: 685
• Total Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 1,048mg
• Potassium: Not specified
• Total Carbohydrate: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 31g

Try More Paula Deen Recipe:

• Paula Deen Baked Mac And Cheese
• Paula Deen Quiche Lorraine Recipe
• Paula Deen Hash Brown Quiche
• Paula Deen Bacon Spinach Quiche