Here’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing Cheesy Spaghetti recipe—gooey, savory, and perfect for family dinners or leftovers.
Cheesy Spaghetti Recipe
Servings: 4–6
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 30–35 min
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti or marinara sauce
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese (softened)
- 1½–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: chopped parsley or grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook meat:
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion until fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Make cheesy noodles:
- Toss cooked spaghetti with butter and sour cream (or cream cheese) until coated.
- Assemble:
- Spread half of the spaghetti in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle with half the mozzarella.
- Add meat sauce evenly.
- Top with remaining spaghetti and cheeses.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve:
- Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish if desired and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Extra cheesy: Add ricotta or cottage cheese to the noodle layer.
- No meat: Skip the beef and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Spicy: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Make-ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
If you’d like, I can also share a one-pot stovetop cheesy spaghetti, a Southern-style version, or a kid-friendly ultra-creamy recipe.
