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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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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

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

Method
 

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

Notes

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