Paula Deen Baked Spaghetti Recipe
If you love comfort food and you are in the right place. The Paula Deen Baked Spaghetti Recipe is a true classic. It is cheesy and warm and very easy to make. This recipe turns basic pasta into a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean works best.
- 1 pound dry spaghetti noodles.
- 1 medium onion chopped finely.
- 1 green bell pepper chopped.
- 2 cloves garlic minced.
- 2 cans 15 oz each tomato sauce.
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- 1/4 cup butter melted.
Instructions
Boil the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until just firm. Drain the water and toss with melted butter. Set the noodles aside for later use.
Brown the Meat and Veggies
- Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onions, and bell peppers. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any extra grease from the pan.
Season and Simmer the Sauce
- Add the garlic, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to the meat. Stir in the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low for ten minutes. This blends the flavors beautifully.
Combine Noodles and Sauce
- Pour the cooked spaghetti into the meat sauce skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles are well coated. Ensure the sauce reaches every single strand of pasta for the best flavor.
Layer in the Baking Dish
- Grease your 9x13 baking dish lightly. Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into the bottom. Sprinkle one cup of cheddar cheese over this first layer. This creates a hidden cheesy center.
Add the Final Layer
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese. Spread it out evenly with your spatula. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Cover the dish with foil.
Bake to Perfection
- Place the dish in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and slightly golden.
Notes
- Add More Veggies: You can add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra nutrition.
- Switch the Meat: Try using ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Extra Creamy: Some people stir in a bit of cream cheese to the warm sauce.
- Don't Overcook Pasta: Boil the noodles for two minutes less than the package says. They finish cooking in the oven.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Cheese Blends: Use Mozzarella if you want a classic "pizza" style cheese pull.