Description
A hearty comfort dish with spaghetti, juicy meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 300g spaghetti
- 500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (extra for topping)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Shape mixture into meatballs (about 1 inch wide).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook meatballs until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked through).
- In the baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Add cooked spaghetti, remaining marinara sauce, browned meatballs, and mix gently.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and extra Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- You can prepare the dish ahead and bake just before serving.
- For extra flavor, mix some red pepper flakes into the sauce.
- Substitute beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American