Cozy Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe: Family-Favorite Comfort

Crafting a delicious baked spaghetti & meatballs recipe can turn an ordinary dinner into a memorable feast.

Comfort flows through every savory bite of this classic Italian-American dish.

Layers of pasta, rich marinara, and tender meatballs promise a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.

Cheese melts perfectly between noodles, creating a golden, crispy top that begs to be devoured.

Simplicity meets flavor in this one-pan wonder that saves you time and delivers maximum enjoyment.

Families gather around the table, anticipating each forkful of this hearty, soul-warming creation.

Join me in mastering this irresistible recipe that will become your new weeknight favorite.

Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs Highlights

• Craft a Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Meal: This baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic dinner favorite that everyone will love.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: One-pan preparation means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, making it a perfect solution for busy households craving a hearty meal.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Simmering meatballs in marinara sauce and adding pasta cooking water creates a rich, deeply developed taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Perfect for Gathering Loved Ones: The bubbling cheese and aromatic sauce make this recipe an ideal centerpiece for family dinners, guaranteed to bring everyone together around the table.

Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that serves as the hearty base of this comforting dish.
• Meatballs: Fully cooked meat mixture that provides protein and rich flavor to the recipe.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic Italian tomato-based sauce that adds depth and moisture to the baked spaghetti.

• Onions, Garlic: These ingredients create a flavorful foundation and enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Grated Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: These cheeses add a creamy, salty finish and help create a golden, melted topping.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings traditional Italian flavor to the sauce.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the aromatics and adding a smooth, rich undertone.
• Pasta Cooking Water: Helps to create a silky sauce and ensures proper pasta coating.

How to Prepare Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Add finely diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Toss in crushed garlic and continue cooking until the onions are tender and fragrant.

Step 2: Introduce Meatballs

Gently add fully cooked meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the onion and garlic mixture.

Step 3: Simmer Flavor-Packed Sauce

Pour marinara sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle in Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer on medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Prepare Pasta

In a separate large pot, cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions, but remove them from boiling water 2 minutes before the recommended cooking time to ensure they remain slightly undercooked.

Step 5: Remove Meatballs Temporarily

Using a slotted spoon, carefully lift the meatballs from the sauce and set them aside momentarily.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Transfer the partially cooked spaghetti into the skillet with marinara sauce. Add pasta cooking water and gently mix to coat the noodles evenly with the rich sauce.

Step 7: Reposition Meatballs

Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, placing them strategically on top of the saucy spaghetti.

Step 8: Add Cheesy Topping

• Grated cheese
• Finely grated parmesan

Ensure an even coverage across the entire dish.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole for 20-30 minutes until the sauce becomes bubbly and the cheese melts into a golden, irresistible crust.

Tips for Perfect Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Opt for a cast iron skillet to enhance flavor development and create a robust base for the sauce.
• Undercook pasta slightly to prevent mushiness during the final baking stage, ensuring perfect texture.
• Reserve pasta water to help create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings beautifully to the noodles.
• Mix different cheese varieties like mozzarella and parmesan for a more complex, richer cheese topping.
• Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.

Variations on Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Vegetarian Meatball Marvel: Replace traditional meatballs with plant-based alternatives like lentil, chickpea, or mushroom-based meatballs for a meat-free protein option.
• Gluten-Free Pasta Paradise: Swap regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Enhance the marinara sauce with cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to create a zesty, heat-packed version of the classic dish.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Swap: Substitute spaghetti noodles with spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles) for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that still delivers maximum flavor.

Pairings That Match Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Select a bold Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich marinara and meaty morsels. These wines cut through the tomato sauce's acidity while enhancing the dish's savory profile.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts. The salad's peppery notes and bright acidity balance the hearty baked spaghetti and provide a refreshing contrast.

Storage Tips for Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the spaghetti and meatballs are completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and store for up to 2-3 months. Freeze flat to save space and ensure even freezing.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of water or extra marinara sauce to maintain moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen meatballs for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs. Just ensure they are fully cooked and thawed before adding to the skillet. Pre-cooked store-bought meatballs work perfectly fine.

• What type of marinara sauce works best?

Choose a high-quality marinara sauce with robust tomato flavor. Homemade or premium store-bought brands like Rao’s or San Marzano will enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Is it necessary to use a cast iron skillet?

While a cast iron skillet provides excellent heat distribution, you can substitute with a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan. The key is maintaining even heat during cooking.

Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty baked spaghetti & meatballs recipe brings classic Italian comfort to dinner tables everywhere. Melted cheese, rich marinara, and tender meatballs create a memorable meal you’ll savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 dozen meatballs (prefabricated/fully cooked)
• 24 oz (680 g) San Marzano marinara sauce
• 3/4 pound (340 g) spaghetti noodles
• 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) grated cheese (combination of colby-jack and mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) finely grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 yellow onion (finely diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

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Instructions

1. Caramelize finely chopped onions in olive oil over medium-low heat until translucent, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. Introduce fully cooked meatballs to the skillet with the softened aromatics.
3. Pour marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer for 20-25 minutes, developing rich flavors.
4. Cook spaghetti in a separate pot, deliberately undercooking by 2 minutes to prevent overcooking during baking.
5. Remove meatballs from sauce using a slotted spoon and set aside temporarily.
6. Transfer partially cooked spaghetti into the skillet, incorporating 1/2 cup pasta water to create a silky sauce coating.
7. Gently return meatballs to the sauced spaghetti, distributing them evenly throughout the dish.
8. Generously sprinkle a blend of grated cheese and parmesan across the surface, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the edges turn golden brown, creating a crispy, bubbling casserole.

Notes

• Achieving the perfect sauté requires patience, keeping heat low and stirring occasionally to prevent burning onions and garlic.
• Undercooking pasta by 2 minutes ensures it won’t become mushy when baked, allowing it to absorb sauce and finish cooking in the oven.
• Adding pasta water helps create a silky, clingy sauce that evenly coats noodles, enhancing overall flavor and texture.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce contains no wheat-based additives.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg