Easy Baked Spaghetti

This hearty spaghetti casserole bakes subsequent to meat sauce and a creamy increase of ricotta cheese. If youre a admirer of crispy edges, you can bake it in a 9 1/2- or 10-inch-wide Bundt pan otherwise then again of the casserole dish, and the mass thing will have those astonishing edges! (Allow the same amount of grow old for baking, approximately 40 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.) The recipe is a Yummly original created by [Sara Mellas](https://www.yummly.com/dish/author/Sara%20Mellas).

The ingredient of Easy Baked Spaghetti

1. nonstick cooking spray for baking dish and meat sauce
2. 1 pound spaghetti
3. salt for pasta water
4. 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt for meat sauce
6. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for meat sauce
7. 1 teaspoon garlic powder for meat sauce
8. 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning for meat sauce
9. 4 cups marinara sauce 4 cups is nearly 36 oz.
10. 15 ounces low-moisture ricotta cheese
11. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup is roughly more or less 2 oz.
12. 3/4 teaspoon salt for ricotta incorporation combination
13. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper for ricotta union
14. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for ricotta join up
15. 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning for ricotta mixture
16. 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for ricotta mixture, 1 cup is nearly 4 oz.
17. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for peak of dish, 2 cups is virtually 8 oz.
18. lively basil leaves optional, for serving

The instruction how to make Easy Baked Spaghetti

1. Preheat the oven to 375u00b0F.
2. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the spaghetti to the water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, 9-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a large colander, and rinse thoroughly with cold water. While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce.
4. Spray an extra-large skillet generously with nonstick cooking spray, then set over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spatula, until thoroughly browned, 5-6 minutes.
5. Drain the fat from the skillet. Return the skillet to the stove, and reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the marinara sauce over the meat and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes. While the sauce simmers, prepare the cheese mixture.
6. Place the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, the mozzarella cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir with a rubber spatula to thoroughly combine.
7. Return the drained spaghetti to the pot. Add the meat sauce and stir to thoroughly coat the noodles.
8. Transfer half of the sauced pasta to the prepared baking dish. Drop the ricotta mixture by spoonfuls over the spaghetti, and gently spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle half the mozzarella over the top. Cover with the remaining noodles. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese in an even layer over the top of the dish.
9. Cover the baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.
10. Bake the spaghetti on middle rack of oven for 40 minutes.
11. Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking until cheese on top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
12. Check to see that spaghetti is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
13. Allow the spaghetti to rest for 20 minutes before serving. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top if you like.

Nutritions of Easy Baked Spaghetti

calories: 520 calories
carbohydrateContent: 51 grams
cholesterolContent: 70 milligrams
fatContent: 24 grams
fiberContent: 5 grams
proteinContent: 27 grams
saturatedFatContent: 13 grams
sodiumContent: 1260 milligrams
sugarContent: 11 grams