Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe (With Homemade Sauce)

This Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe is the perfect baked pasta recipe the whole family is sure to love. It's made with ground beef, Italian sausage, spaghetti, and other simple ingredients. Plus it's a great way to have an easy meal anytime.

For more great recipes that are similar to this baked spaghetti recipe, then be sure to try making a comforting dish of Ravioli Lasagna or a Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe.

This easy spaghetti recipe is a favorite main course meal around here. It’s comforting, filling, and the perfect meal to share with loved ones. Plus it comes together in minutes and this recipe includes a homemade spaghetti sauce that uses just a few ingredients. 

I would love to take full credit for this recipe, but it’s actually been in my family for years. I’m not really sure who it came from as it’s been passed around the family for so many years. Each person puts their own spin on it, but here’s the version that my mom used to make. Although I’ve always called it baked spaghetti my mom refers to it as beef and sausage casserole or black people spaghetti. 

At any rate…Let’s get started!

Ingredients You'll Need to Make Baked Spaghetti Casserole

1. Spaghetti - You can use regular spaghetti noodles or thin spaghetti pasta, both will work in this spaghetti recipe. This ingredient is what makes the base of the dish so be sure to boil it to al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven. 
2. Cheese - Use shredded mozzarella cheese to layer the easy-baked spaghetti and provide cheesiness to the dish. You can also use an Italian blend of cheese as well if you prefer. Try shredding the mozzarella cheese yourself using a box grater because it melts so much better and doesn’t have any additional preservatives as bagged cheese does. 
3. Ground Beef - Ground beef is needed to make the southern spaghetti sauce. Try using a lean ground beef mix that is at least 16% to 25% fat if possible for best results. You may substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken as well if you prefer.
4. Ground Sausage - Use ground Italian sausage that is mild or hot in flavor to add another meat and more flavor to the ground meat sauce. 
5. Onion - Chop a yellow or white onion into small even size pieces to add to the sauce for additional aromatic flavor. 
6. Garlic - Add two cloves of minced garlic to the sauce mixture, if you prefer more, then go ahead and add as much as you like. 
7. Tomato Sauce - This ingredient forms the base of the sauce and helps to blend the sauce ingredients together. Use any that you prefer. 
8. Ketchup - Adds a bit of sweetness and slight tanginess to balance the marinara sauce and keep it from tasting bitter. 
9. Worcestershire Sauce - Provides a nice savory flavor to the sauce and gives it great flavor. 
10. Italian Seasoning - This spice blend helps to season the sauce and provides the flavor profile that you find in Italian-style recipes. You should be able to easier find it in the spice aisle at most grocery stores. 
11. Salt and Ground Black Pepper - Provides a bit of spice to keep the meat sauce from tasting flat and bland. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Step By Step Instructions

Begin the recipe by grabbing a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Use softened butter or olive oil to rub on the bottom and sides of the baking dish. You may also lightly spray it with cooking spray as well. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Use a large skillet or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground sausage. While cooking the ground meat, continuously break the meat into small pieces using a meat chopper or medium spoon. Continue cooking the beef and sausage until it’s no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Carefully drain off the excess oil (fat). 

Add the chopped onion and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to soften and become translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute before adding the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper.

Stir to combine and allow the homemade sauce to come to a boil before reducing the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid and allow it time to simmer about 5 minutes.

While the simple spaghetti sauce is simmering, prepare the spaghetti according to the package directions, cook the spaghetti pasta in boiling water that is heavily salted until it’s al dente. Drain off the water and place the cooked spaghetti evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with an even layer of shredded cheese. 

Evenly pour the meat sauce over the spaghetti and cheese in the baking dish.

Top evenly with the rest of the shredded cheese. 

Place it into the oven to bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and cut into 8 pieces. Serve warm in a large bowl topped with grated Parmesan cheese, a salad, and some cheesy garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Soul Food Spaghetti?

When it comes to this soul food spaghetti recipe, it can be paired with so many other comforting recipes to make it a complete meal. Here are a few suggestions: 

• Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread 
• Breadsticks
• Collard Greens or Mustard Greens
• Roasted Vegetables or a mixture of your favorite Sauteed Vegetables.
• Fried Chicken 
• Southern Fried Catfish or any fried fish that you prefer. 
• Green Salad 

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• This spaghetti casserole can be made in advance. Assemble it, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow it time to come to room temperature a bit before placing it into the oven to bake.
• If you prefer to use a premade jar spaghetti sauce instead of making it, then you can for a shortcut. 
• When ready to serve, grate the top with some Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. 
• You can also substitute the shredded mozzarella cheese with other types of cheese, such as shredded cheddar cheese or any that you prefer. Cottage cheese and ricotta cheese will work as well. 

Storage Tips

Storage. If you have any leftovers, simply cover the baking dish with a lid or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also transfer it to a separate airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Reheating. When ready to serve again, reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F. until warmed thoroughly. It can also be reheated in the microwave for a quicker option. 

Freezing - Assemble the baked spaghetti in the baking dish and allow it to cool to room temperature. Without baking, cover it tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before, then bake as directed. You may need to add some additional sauce if you plan on freezing it and it may need more cook time. 

More Classic Dinner Recipes You'll Love

• Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe 
• Ravioli Lasagna 
• Easy Lasagna Recipe
• Cheesy Ravioli Bake  
• Easy Homemade Pasta Sauce
• Chicken and Broccoli Casserole 
• Lasagna Soup 

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Southern Baked Spaghetti? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe