There's nothing quite like a big pan of Southern Baked Spaghetti fresh from the oven! This family-favorite baked spaghetti recipe combines tender pasta, a flavorful ground beef and Italian sausage tomato sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella cheese. It's hearty, comforting, and perfect for Sunday dinner, feeding a crowd, or making ahead for a busy weeknight.
Updated October 21, 2026 with new step-by-step tips, FAQs, and storage methods to make this recipe even more helpful for home cooks. This recipe was originally posted on January 13, 2023.
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Here's what readers have to say about this recipe:
Reader Sandhya, commented: "This recipe is just perfect to feed a crowd! I made it for dinner when we had family visiting and we loved it. And it was so easy to put it together as well. ★★★★★"
Another reader Lori, commented: "I grew up on Skettie casserole! This was such a great walk down memory lane! So scrumptious and easy! ★★★★★"
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This version has been in my family for years, passed down, tweaked, and lovingly shared. My mom always called it "beef and sausage casserole," though most of us just know it as baked spaghetti. Whatever you call it, it's a classic soul food dinner that never disappoints.
👉 Before we cook, let me share a few helpful tips.
Before You Cook: What You Need to Know
- Cheese tip - Shred mozzarella from a block for the best melt (bagged cheese has preservatives that affect texture).
- Meat options - Ground beef and Italian sausage give the best flavor, but ground turkey or chicken also works.
- Make-ahead friendly - Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next day.
- Freezer tip - Assemble (without baking), cover tightly, and freeze up to 2 months.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe.
- Ground Beef and Italian Sausage: Using both gives the meat sauce a hearty texture and plenty of flavor. Mild or hot Italian sausage works depending on your preference.
- Onion and Garlic: Add savory flavor to the homemade sauce.
- Tomato Sauce and Ketchup: Create the tomato base, with ketchup adding a little sweetness and tanginess.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds rich, savory depth to the meat sauce.
- Italian Seasoning, Salt, and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring everything together.
- Spaghetti: Regular or thin spaghetti works well. Cook just until al dente so it holds its texture during baking.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and creates that gooey, cheesy topping.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
📖 Recipe
Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch rectangle baking dish
- 1 Large skillet or pot
- 1 Wooden spoon or meat chopper
- 1 Box grater (for shredding cheese)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (16-25% fat recommended)
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot)
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 ounces tomato sauce (1 can)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 16 ounces spaghetti (regular or thin)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil, butter, or cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound ground beef and 1 pound sausage until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add ¼ cup diced onion and cook 1-2 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cloves garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add 15 ounces tomato sauce, ketchup, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook 16 ounces spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
- Spread spaghetti evenly in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella.
- Pour meat sauce evenly over pasta and cheese. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven, rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 8 portions. Serve warm with Parmesan, garlic bread, or salad.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Assemble casserole, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Cheese swaps: Try cheddar, Italian blend, ricotta, or cottage cheese for variety.
- Shortcut: Use jarred marinara instead of homemade sauce if short on time.
- Spicy option: Add crushed red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Cover and store up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Assemble but don't bake, cover tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before baking.
- Reheating: Warm in oven at 300°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti
- Classic sides: Cheesy garlic bread, breadsticks, or a crisp green salad.
- Southern pairings: Collard greens, mustard greens, or fried catfish.
- Comfort sides: Roasted vegetables, oven roasted broccoli, or fried chicken.
Lakita's Expert Tips & Tricks
- Swap mozzarella for cheddar, Italian blend, or even ricotta/cottage cheese.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze portions in airtight containers.
- Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, or microwave for a quick option.
Frequently asked questions
Make sure the pasta is slightly undercooked before baking and use enough sauce. Cover with foil if baking longer.
Yes! Assemble and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.
Absolutely. A good quality marinara or spaghetti sauce saves time.
Yes, assemble, freeze unbaked, and bake straight from the freezer (add 10-15 minutes extra cook time).
No, this recipe bakes uncovered at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, allowing the mozzarella cheese to melt and become bubbly. If the cheese begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Regular spaghetti is typically served with sauce after the pasta is cooked. Baked spaghetti combines cooked pasta, meat sauce, and cheese in a casserole dish before baking everything together until hot and bubbly.
Cook the spaghetti just until al dente, drain it thoroughly, and avoid overcooking it before assembling the casserole. The pasta will continue softening slightly as it bakes in the sauce.
More Southern Classics You'll Love
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Old Fashioned Salmon Patties
- Southern Collard Greens
- Ravioli Lasagna
- Easy Shepherd's Pie
Did you grow up eating baked spaghetti too? Let me know your family twist in the comments! If you make this recipe, tag @SimplyLaKita on Instagram or pin it to save for later.
💌 From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking!
Amy says
One of my personal chef client families love this dish. I made it for their weekly menu and the kids were so excited for dinner. The combination of the 2 meats added so much flavor to the dish.
LaKita says
Thank you Amy! It's such a great combination, I agree!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This recipe is just perfect to feed a crowd! I made it for dinner when we had family visiting and we loved it. And it was so easy to put it together as well.
LaKita says
Thank you Sandhya! Glad it was a success, this is a great way to feed a crowd in a hurry!!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I grew up on Skettie casserole! This was such a great walk down memory lane! So scrumptious and easy!
LaKita says
Thank you Lori, nothing like a good skettie casserole!!!!
Katie Crenshaw says
Baked spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food. This recipe was incredible! The Italian sausage gave it so much flavor. Everyone loved it.
LaKita says
Thank you Katie, the addition of Italian sausage does give it a little something extra 😉
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This brings back so many memories of our aitaluan recipes. There is one where it is done in a dome and another we do a fritatta with spaghetti. Yours looks like comfort soul food for sure!
This is a kid pleaser meal for sure!
Thank you!
LaKita says
Thank you so much, a dome version sounds fantastic!!
Ann says
Baked spaghetti is always a crowd pleaser! One can never go wrong making it! This is also a great recipe to make ahead of time, and freeze.
LaKita says
Thank you Ann, it's a definite crowd pleaser!!!!
Tammy says
I love spaghetti served like this. Growing up my mom used to make a spaghetti lasagna and it was so much fun. Baked pasta is even better the next day! Love your spin on this...it sounds amazing!
LaKita says
Thank you Tammy, this is how my mom used to make it as well, love it!
Enri Lemoine says
Why everything "southern" has to be so delicious and comforting? I have a similar recipe. I like to call it the busy mom lasagna. But this is superior! I made it last nite, and we ALL LOVED it!
LaKita says
Thank you Enri! This really is the busy mom lasagna!!! 🙂
megane says
The only way to have spaghetti. Seriously good! Thanks for another great dinner.
LaKita says
Thank you Megan! I totally agree, baked spaghetti is the best!
Colleen says
My family loved this baked spaghetti dish and it was so simple to make. I will be making it again for sure.
LaKita says
Thank you Colleen, glad to hear the recipe was a success with you and your family 🙂