How to Make the Perfect Spaghetti and Meatball Bake
Italian-American · Medium · 50 min · 6 servings
This crowd pleasing baked pasta dish combines classic spaghetti with tender homemade meatballs and bubbling marinara sauce all topped with a golden layer of melted mozzarella. It is the ultimate comfort food dinner that picky kids and hungry adults both cannot get enough of.
Why this recipe works
This Spaghetti and Meatball Bake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 520 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make and Brown the Meatballs
Combine the ground beef breadcrumbs and egg in a bowl and mix until just combined then roll into 1.5 inch meatballs. Brown them in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes turning to brown all sides though they do not need to be fully cooked through yet.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package directions so it is slightly underdone as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and toss with half of the marinara sauce.
Step 3: Assemble the Bake
Pour the sauced spaghetti into a greased 9x13 baking dish and nestle the browned meatballs throughout then spoon the remaining marinara sauce over everything. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly
Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground beef → ground turkey or plant based ground meat
- marinara sauce → homemade tomato sauce
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcooking the spaghetti before baking which results in mushy pasta after the oven
- Skipping the foil for the first part of baking which dries out the top before the center heats through
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 520 calories, 28g protein, 55g carbs, 20g fat, 4g fiber.
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