Baked spaghetti is a complete dish, delicious and simple to prepare: the perfect choice for a midweek family dinner. The ingredients are among the most popular, both by adults and by children: pasta, tomato sauce, ground beef and lots of cheese. Those with a sweet tooth can add a few extra ingredients for a super creamy version reminiscent of lasagna. Don't forget to put any leftovers in the refrigerator because, eaten the next day, baked spaghetti will taste even better.
Ingrediants
Baked Spaghetti in Classic Version
- 350 g of ground beef
- 450 g of spaghetti
- 450 ml of tomato sauce
- 250 g of grated cheese
- Coarse salt
Yield: 6 servings
Baked Spaghetti in a Creamy Version
- 250 g of spaghetti
- 450 g of ground beef
- 450 ml of tomato sauce
- 120 g butter, diced
- 60 ml of cream
- 230 g of a cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 230 g of cottage cheese or cottage cheese
- 470 g of a cheese suitable for melting in the oven
Yield: 8 servings
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare Classic Baked Spaghetti
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 175 ° C
Turn it on before you start preparing the ingredients to give it time to warm up. On average it will take about 20 minutes for it to reach the right temperature.
Turn on the grill first if you want the oven to heat up more quickly. Then, when you're ready to put the spaghetti in the oven, set it to normal cooking mode
Step 2. Cook the spaghetti following the instructions on the package
Fill a pot of water and put it on the stove. When the water boils, throw in the pasta. Let the spaghetti cook for 10-12 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat and drain. Set the spaghetti aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Remember to add the salt to the pasta cooking water.
- If you prefer the spaghetti to be al dente, reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
Step 3. Brown the ground beef in a pan for 7 minutes
Cook 350g of ground beef, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula. Let it brown until it is no longer pink in the center.
- Use a pan about 12 inches wide so that the meat has enough space.
- If you wish, you can grease the bottom of the pan with olive oil before adding the meat. It will make it tastier and prevent it from sticking to the bottom if the pan is not non-stick.
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water immediately after handling raw meat, otherwise you could contaminate other foods and kitchen surfaces.
Step 4. Drain the meat from the cooking liquids, then add the tomato puree and spaghetti
After draining the browned meat from its juices and fats, pour 450 ml of tomato puree and the pasta you previously cooked and drained into the pan. Stir with the wooden spoon to blend the ingredients and flavors.
- Do not pour the liquids present in the pan into the sink to avoid the risk of blocking the drain with the fats released from the meat. Pour them into a deep dish, let them cool, and then throw them in the trash.
- You can use natural tomato puree or you can prepare a sauce.
Prepare a sauce
Ingrediants:
430 g of tomato puree
430 g canned tomato cubes
170 g of tomato paste
2 tablespoons (30 g) of sugar
Half a teaspoon of basil
Half a teaspoon of oregano
Half a teaspoon of black pepper
Half a teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
Pour all the ingredients into the pot, stir, turn on the stove and let the sauce simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes.
Step 5. Transfer the seasoned spaghetti to a greased baking dish (approx. 35x25cm)
Pour them slowly so as not to dirty the surrounding surfaces with splashes of sauce. Spoon the spaghetti into the pan with a spoon.
- Grease the bottom of the pan with olive oil or butter to prevent the spaghetti from sticking.
- If the dish is non-stick, you can avoid greasing it.
Step 6. Spread 250g of grated cheese over the spaghetti
Try to spread it as evenly as possible to make each bite taste right. You can buy the cheese already grated or grate it on the spot to get a better result.
You can use the Parmesan, pecorino or cheese of your choice
Step 7. Place the pan in the oven and cook the spaghetti for 30 minutes
Place it in the center of the oven so that the hot air can circulate freely, ensuring even cooking. Resist the temptation to open the oven to check the spaghetti; the hot air would disperse, negatively affecting cooking.
Set the cooking time on the kitchen or mobile timer
Step 8. Remove the dish from the oven and allow the spaghetti to cool slightly
After 30 minutes or when the cheese has browned properly, carefully remove the pan from the oven and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Let the pasta rest for a few minutes so as not to risk burning yourself at the first bite.
If the noodles are left over, you can transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for a couple of days
Method 2 of 2: Prepare Baked Spaghetti in a Creamy Version
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 175 ° C
Turn it on before you start preparing the ingredients to give it time to warm up. On average it will take about 20 minutes for it to reach the right temperature.
Turn on the grill first if you want the oven to heat up more quickly. When you're ready to put the spaghetti in the oven, set it to normal cooking mode
Step 2. Cook the spaghetti al dente following the instructions on the package
Fill a pot of water and put it on the stove. When the water boils, throw in the pasta. Let the spaghetti cook for 10-12 minutes or for the indicated time, then remove the pot from the heat and drain.
Keep in mind that the noodles will continue to cook in the oven, so you can drain them a few minutes in advance
Step 3. Heat 60g of diced butter in a skillet over medium-high heat
Stir it with the wooden spoon or spatula to spread it into the pan as it melts.
Use a pan about 30 centimeters wide to give ample space for the ingredients
Step 4. Place the ground beef in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes
Pour 450 g of ground beef into the pan and spread it evenly with the spoon or spatula. Let the meat brown, stirring often until it is no longer pink in the center.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water immediately after handling raw meat, otherwise you could contaminate other foods and kitchen surfaces with dangerous bacteria
Step 5. Drain the meat from the cooking liquids and fats
Immediately afterwards, pour 450 g of tomato puree into the pan. Stir to evenly season the meat.
- Do not pour the liquids present in the pan into the sink to avoid the risk of blocking the drain with the fats released from the meat. Pour them into a deep dish, let them cool, and then throw them in the trash.
- You can use natural tomato puree or you can prepare a sauce.
Step 6. Combine the ricotta, cream and cream cheese in a bowl
Mix 230 g of ricotta, 60 ml of cream and 230 g of cream cheese (left to soften at room temperature). If you want to save time and effort, you can mix them using the electric whisk.
Getting a Healthier Dish the Easy Way
For a more protein dish use Greek yogurt instead of cream.
If your priority is to keep calories in check, use ground turkey or ground beef with a low percentage of fat.
To fill up on antioxidants and vitamins add some pre-cooked vegetables, such as broccoli or peppers.
If you don't want to overdo it with dairy products, halve the doses of cream and cheese or omit them completely.
If you are intolerant to gluten, choose a type of gluten-free pasta. You can also use vegetable noodles, just reduce the cooking time.
Step 7. Spread the remaining butter on the bottom of a baking dish
Cut 60 g of butter into slices or very small cubes and try to distribute it evenly so that it melts and covers the entire bottom of the pan.
- The ideal is to use a baking dish or a rectangular pan with the following measures: 35x25 cm.
- In this recipe the oil is not needed, the butter will take care to prevent the spaghetti from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 8. Spread half of the spaghetti inside the baking dish, then add the cheese mixture
Dose about half of the spaghetti, leaving the other half aside. Transfer them to the pan over the butter and try to distribute them evenly.
- In order not to be mistaken, you can divide the spaghetti into two bowls. This way you won't risk not having enough to cover the cheese layer.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the pastry using the back of a spoon.
Step 9. Add the other half of the spaghetti
After spreading the cream and cheese mixture evenly, pour the remaining spaghetti into the pan. Try to distribute them evenly to cover the creamy layer.
The best way to evenly distribute the noodles is to use your hands, but make sure they are perfectly clean
Step 10. Complete the dish with the minced meat and tomato puree
Pour the sauce over the spaghetti making sure they are completely covered, otherwise they will burn in the oven.
Instead of pouring the sauce all at once in the center of the pan, spread it over the spaghetti using a ladle
Step 11. Place the pan in the oven and cook the spaghetti for 30 minutes
Place the dish in the center of the oven so that the hot air can circulate freely, ensuring even cooking.
Set the cooking time on the kitchen or mobile timer
Step 12. Remove the dish from the oven and add a layer of cheese suitable for melting in the heat
For convenience, you can buy pre-cut cheese. Use 450g and spread it evenly over the dough.
The list of suitable cheeses includes all those that melt and spin with heat, such as mozzarella and fontina
Step 13. Return the dish to the oven for another 10 minutes
The cheese will melt creating a final layer of delight. Do not leave the spaghetti in the oven for more than 10 minutes, otherwise they may dry out too much.
- If you want a delicious crust to form on the cheese, turn on the grill during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- If the noodles are left over, you can transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
