Baked Spaghetti Recipe by Paula Deen Everyone Raves About

Baked spaghetti by Paula Deen erupts with soul-warming comfort that instantly transforms dinnertime into a celebration of flavor.

Tantalizing layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and gooey cheese create a culinary symphony that dances across taste buds.

Savory aromas will waft through your kitchen, beckoning hungry family members to the table.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish bridges generations with its classic appeal and irresistible charm.

Melted cheese blankets perfectly cooked noodles, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

The crispy edges and creamy center guarantee a dining experience that transcends ordinary pasta dishes.

One bite will convince you this recipe is destined to become a household favorite, so grab your fork and get ready to savor every delectable moment.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Baked Spaghetti

• Diced Tomatoes: Opt for San Marzano or fire-roasted varieties for deeper, richer flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: Choose a high-quality, low-sodium brand for better control of salt content.
• Water: Use filtered water for pure, clean taste.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Select fresh, firm vegetables with vibrant colors and no soft spots.
• Garlic: Pick firm, plump cloves without green sprouts for the most robust flavor.
• Parsley: Choose bright green, crisp leaves with no wilting.

• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt for enhanced taste.
• Sugar: Select granulated white sugar to balance tomato acidity.
• Bay Leaves: Use whole, fragrant dried bay leaves for deep, earthy undertones.

• Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef with 85% or 90% lean meat for less grease.

• Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan: Use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and flavor.

• Angel Hair Pasta: Select high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture and hold.

Tools You Need to Make Baked Spaghetti

• Large Stockpot: Perfect for simmering rich, flavor-packed sauce with plenty of room for ingredients to meld together.
• Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and creating those delicious crispy edges.
• Cutting Board: Helps chop onions, bell peppers, and garlic with ease.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients gently.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta and excess beef fat perfectly.
• 13 x 9 x 2-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for creating beautiful layers of pasta and cheese.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot baking dishes.

How to Assemble and Bake the Spaghetti

• Launch Flavor Explosion

Create a mouth-watering sauce by simmering tomatoes, onions, and garlic together. Let the ingredients dance and mingle, building an incredible depth of flavor that will make taste buds sing.

• Transform Ground Beef

Sizzle beef in a hot skillet, breaking it into tasty crumbles. Drain away excess fat and fold the meat into your simmering sauce, allowing the flavors to become best friends.

• Craft the Pasta Foundation

Cook angel hair pasta until it reaches perfect tenderness. Drain carefully, ensuring each strand is ready to soak up the delicious sauce.

• Assemble Cheesy Layers

In a baking dish, create a delectable landscape of sauce, pasta, and a generous avalanche of melty cheeses. Build your casserole like an edible work of art, making sure each layer tells a delicious story.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your creation into a preheated oven. Watch as the casserole transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece that fills the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

• Serve with Love

Let the casserole rest briefly, then slice into generous portions. Serve immediately and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Tips to Customize Baked Spaghetti Layers

• Boost Sauce Depth: Experiment with red wine or balsamic vinegar to add complex, rich undertones that elevate the tomato sauce's flavor profile.
• Cheese Combo Craze: Mix different cheese varieties like fontina, provolone, or gouda alongside the classic mozzarella to create a more intricate and exciting cheese layer that melts beautifully.
• Veggie Power-Up: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to the sauce. Finely chop these vegetables to blend seamlessly into the dish without changing the texture dramatically.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, pop it directly into the preheated oven and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Ideas for Classic Spaghetti Bake

• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or oregano on top for a burst of garden-fresh flavor that complements the rich, cheesy casserole.
• Pair with Crisp Side Salad: Toss a light green salad with vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta dish and add some refreshing crunch to your meal.
• Add Garlic Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread alongside the casserole to soak up extra sauce and provide a delightful texture contrast.
• Create Colorful Garnish: Top with a few fresh parsley leaves or red pepper flakes to add a pop of color and an extra layer of zesty excitement to the presentation.

Reheating and Saving Leftover Spaghetti

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Keep leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, storing for up to 3 months without sacrificing delicious quality.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
• Smart Portion Control: Divide casserole into individual servings before freezing, making quick weeknight meals a breeze and reducing food waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Mouthwatering Paula Deen Baked Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Comfort reigns supreme in this paula deen baked spaghetti casserole, blending rich meat sauce with layers of pasta and melted cheese. Southern hospitality shines through this hearty dish that delivers warmth and satisfying flavors you will love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef
• 8 oz (226 g) uncooked angel hair pasta
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1.5 tsps Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
• 1.5 tsps Paula Deen Seasoned Salt
• 1.5 tsps Italian seasoning
• 1.5 tsps sugar
• 1 cup water

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Combine diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, bell peppers, garlic, parsley, seasonings, sugar, and bay leaves in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1 hour, allowing flavors to intensify.
2. Meat Integration: Brown ground beef in a skillet, thoroughly crumbling and draining excess fat. Fold the cooked meat into the simmering sauce, continuing to cook for 20 minutes to meld flavors completely.
3. Pasta and Assembly: Cook angel hair pasta to al dente perfection. Preheat oven to 350°F. Layer the baking dish with sauce, pasta, and alternating cheese layers, ensuring a generous sauce coverage on top.
4. Baking Process: Slide the casserole into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
5. Serving: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest briefly. Slice into neat portions, revealing the beautiful layered composition, and serve while warm and appetizing.

Notes

• Sauce Simmering Secrets: Low and slow cooking allows tomato sauce flavors to deeply develop, creating a rich, complex taste profile with enhanced depth and aromatics.
• Beef Browning Technique: Fully drain ground beef fat to prevent greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated meat flavor in the final dish.
• Pasta Preparation Pro-Tip: Cook angel hair pasta exactly to al dente stage to prevent mushiness when baked, maintaining perfect texture throughout the casserole.
• Cheese Layering Strategy: Distribute cheese between pasta layers for even melting and consistent flavor distribution, ensuring every bite delivers maximum cheesy goodness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 960 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg