Baked Meatball Spaghetti

Classic spaghetti and meatballs, baked to bubbly perfection with layers of cheese and flavor.

This Baked Meatball & Spaghetti recipe takes the traditional dish you love and gives it a cheesy, oven-baked upgrade. With tender homemade (or frozen) meatballs, saucy spaghetti, and layers of melted cheese, it’s the perfect comfort food casserole for family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs (or use frozen):

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 egg

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

For the Casserole:

• 12 oz spaghetti, cooked al dente

• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (or homemade)

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Optional: chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Mix beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

• Form into small balls and place on a greased baking sheet.

• Bake for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
  Or use 20–25 frozen meatballs, thawed.

Cook the Spaghetti

• Boil spaghetti according to package directions.

• Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Assemble the Bake

• In a large bowl, combine cooked spaghetti and half of the marinara sauce.

• Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Top with meatballs and remaining marinara sauce.

• Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake

• Reduce oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is golden.

Serve

• Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

• Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.

Serving Suggestions

• Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping

• Add a side of steamed vegetables or roasted zucchini

• Freeze leftovers in individual portions for future meals

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days

• Reheat in microwave or oven until heated through

• Can be frozen before or after baking — tightly wrapped