Description
Cheesy, hearty, and loaded with flavor, this Baked Spaghetti Meatballs recipe is your new go-to for easy dinner ideas. It combines juicy meatballs, al dente pasta, rich marinara sauce, and a bubbling cheese topping into one delicious bake. Perfect for quick dinner, family meals, or even freezing for later – this easy recipe covers everything from comfort food cravings to weeknight food ideas and meal prep. A must-try for fans of Italian-American classics.
Ingredients
450g spaghetti
450g cooked meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
700ml marinara sauce
225g shredded mozzarella cheese
60g grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. If using homemade, cook your meatballs until browned and fully cooked. For store-bought, follow heating instructions on the package.
3. In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti, marinara sauce, half of the mozzarella, garlic, and a portion of the parmesan cheese. Toss well.
4. Grease a baking dish and pour in the spaghetti mixture. Nestle the meatballs evenly into the pasta, gently pressing them in.
5. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
7. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving for clean slices.
8. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
Use fresh mozzarella for extra creaminess, or low-moisture mozzarella for a firmer top.
Don’t overcook the pasta – it will finish cooking in the oven.
Cover the dish with foil for the first 15 minutes if you want a softer top layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: baked spaghetti meatballs, comfort food, dinner ideas, pasta bake