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Overhead view of a homemade loaded spaghetti recipe casserole fresh from the oven with golden melted cheese and crispy edges on a white kitchen counter.

Loaded Spaghetti Recipe

A hearty, cheesy loaded spaghetti recipe layered with seasoned ground beef, marinara, and three cheeses for the ultimate comfort food. Restaurant-quality flavor in under an hour — perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
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Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 580kcal
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • 1 Large Stockpot (8-quart) For cooking spaghetti evenly
  • 1 Deep Skillet or Dutch Oven For browning beef and simmering sauce
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish Preferably glass or ceramic for even browning
  • 1 Cheese grater For shredding mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan
  • 1 Aluminum foil For covering casserole during baking
  • 1 Colander To drain pasta safely

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Spaghetti pasta Regular or thick-cut
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil To prevent sticking
  • 1 tablespoon Salt For pasta water
  • 1.5 pounds Ground beef 80/20 blend preferred
  • 1 medium Yellow onion Finely diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 24 oz Marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade
  • 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes Canned
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional, for mild heat
  • Salt and pepper To taste
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese Shredded, divided
  • 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese Shredded
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
  • 8 oz Cream cheese Softened (for creaminess)
  • 1 cup Mushrooms Optional, sliced
  • 1 Green bell pepper Diced
  • Fresh basil For garnish
  • Italian sausage Optional, replace half the beef

Instructions

  • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and toss with olive oil.
  • Brown ground beef in a skillet; add onions and garlic.
  • Add marinara, tomatoes, and seasonings; simmer 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F; grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Layer half the pasta, dollops of cream cheese, half the meat sauce, and cheeses.
  • Add remaining pasta, sauce, and top with remaining cheese.
  • Cover with foil; bake 25 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 minutes until golden.
  • Let rest 10 minutes; garnish with basil before serving.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 300g | Calories: 580kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 910mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 420mg | Iron: 4.5mg