Cheesy Baked Spaghetti 🍝🧀

This comforting and hearty baked spaghetti dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. With layers of tender pasta, beef, and gooey cheese, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Plus, it’s straightforward to prepare and can be made ahead for easy weeknight meals. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal! 🥗🍞

Ingredients

For the spaghetti

• 1 (16 ounce) package of spaghetti
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (32 ounce) jar of meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt

For the cheese mixture

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 tablespoons of melted butter
• 2 cups of small curd cottage cheese, divided
• 4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

2. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. Brown the beef: In a large skillet, heat over medium heat and cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned and onion is soft and translucent, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

4. Combine beef with sauce: Stir in the spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt with the beef mixture.

5. Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Gently mix in the spaghetti until coated.

6. Layer the ingredients: Place half of the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the cottage cheese, half the mozzarella, and half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers.

7. Bake the dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes more.

8. Serve hot and enjoy!

🍽️ Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before slicing to help it hold its shape.

Tips

• Make it ahead: Assemble the dish a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it's cold from the fridge.

• Add veggies: Sneak in some sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for a boost of flavor and nutrition.

• Meatless option: Substitute ground beef with a plant-based alternative or skip the meat entirely for a delicious vegetarian version.

• Cheese overload: If you are a cheese lover, feel free to add extra layers of cheese! Just remember to adjust the baking time if necessary.

Enjoy your cheesy baked spaghetti—it's a meal that promises warmth and satisfaction! 🍽️❤️