Description
A comforting and cheesy classic combining spaghetti, savory meatballs, and rich marinara sauce baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 20–25 small cooked meatballs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until just al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil.
- Sauté diced onion in olive oil in a pan until soft, then add garlic and cook briefly. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and let simmer for a few minutes.
- In the baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti followed by half of the meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then top with parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
For a healthier twist, consider using whole-grain pasta and lean meat. Allow the dish to rest before serving for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg