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Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

November 2, 2022 by Great Grub, Delicious Treats

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This baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe is absolutely delicious. Homemade meatballs are baked and then added to a homemade meat sauce and the noodles are added to a creamy Parmesan white sauce, layered in a baking dish with mozzarella cheese, and baked until the cheese is hot and bubbly. An absolutely delicious spaghetti and meatball recipe.

A round blue plate with a serving of spaghetti and meatballs on it.

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic dish that almost everyone has had on more than one occasion. I’ve made it routinely for decades. As delicious as this classic is, though, sometimes it can feel stale. That’s why I love this baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe. It combines classic spaghetti and meatballs with a cheesy white sauce for an extra creamy version that’s out of this world. It’s a great family dinner, and it reheats so well, it’s perfect for lunch or dinner the next day, or just an after-school snack if you have kids. A dish this hearty and delicious is always loved by the family, as well!

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

This delicious recipe starts with homemade meatballs that are perfectly seasoned and baked to perfection. Then I make a simple meat sauce to which I add the meatballs. Finally, a rich, creamy, and cheesy white sauce is combined with spaghetti noodles, and it’s all topped with meatballs and sauce. It’s covered with mozzarella cheese and baked to ooey-gooey perfection, creating a meatball pasta bake that’s rich, hearty, and super cheesy. Everyone loves it, and it’s actually rather simple to make. Everybody wins!

A casserole dish with baked spaghetti and meatballs in it.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

  • It uses two delicious sauces – a creamy white sauce and a meat sauce – and is absolutely delicious.
  • It’s a great dinner recipe any time of year, and the meatballs are tender and delicious.
  • The leftovers are just as good the next day, and the whole family will love it.

Tips

  • Cook the pasta only to al dente. You don’t want them to get too soft when you bake the dish.
  • Don’t overcook the meat and onions for the meat sauce. You want the onions soft, not browned.
  • The easiest way to mix the meatball mixture is by using your hands.

Variations

  • You can substitute turkey for ground beef if you like.
  • For a kick of heat, try using hot Italian sausage.
  • If you don’t have heavy whipping cream, you can use half and half or even milk in a pinch.
A round blue plate with 5 meatballs and cheesy spaghetti on it.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use frozen meatballs for this recipe?

You absolutely can! They’ll cook up just, as well, and it’s perfect when you’re pressed for time.

How long does it take to bake meatballs at 350 degrees?

It can take anywhere from 20 to 35 minutes depending on the size of the meatballs.

How do you tell when meatballs are done?

The only surefire way to tell if your meatballs are done is to test one with a meat thermometer. If it registers 165 degrees in the center, the meatballs are cooked.

Should you brown meatballs before putting them in sauce?

You don’t necessarily have to brown them, but you should cook them. Whether you bake them or cook them in a skillet, meatballs should be cooked before putting them in sauce so they hold their shape and don’t release grease into the sauce.

Should you bake or fry your meatballs?

Either way works well. It all comes down to personal preference.

Can you freeze cooked spaghetti and meatballs?

You can freeze cooked spaghetti and meatballs for up to 6 months. It freezes very well.

A forkful of cheesy spaghetti with a meatball on it.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.

To reheat, place the spaghetti and meatballs in a baking dish, cover, with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Ingredients for Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you’ll easily find at your local grocery store. Most of these are pantry staples, so you’ll probably have the majority of them in your kitchen already.

  • Ground beef
  • Ground Italian sausage
  • Onion,
  • Garlic powder
  • Slap ya mama
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato paste
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Large egg
  • Milk
  • Parsley
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Butter
  • All purpose flour
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • Pasta water
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Mozzarella cheese
A serving of cheesy spaghetti and meatballs on a blue plate.

How to Make Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

At first glance, this recipe might seem like a lot, but it’s actually quick and easy. The meatballs and both sauces are easy to make. You’ll have no problem with this one.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 deep casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set it aside. In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the directions for al dente, drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

Cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are tender. Drain and return to the pan. Then, add the seasonings and stir. Finally, add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir and simmer, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Make the Meatballs

Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Then, roll into 1 1/2-inch balls and bake on a baking sheet for 15 minutes. Finally, add the meatballs to the meat sauce and continue simmering for another 20 minutes.

Step 3: Make the White Sauce

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the flour. Pour the heavy whipping cream into the pan and stir until combined. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Finally, add the reserved pasta water and stir.

Step 4: Construct the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

Combine the pasta and cheese sauce and pour it into the prepared baking dish. Then, top with the meatballs and meat sauce and cover with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly. Enjoy!

A double collage photo of baked spaghetti and meatballs on a blue round plate.

Try This Delicious Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe Today

This baked spaghetti and meatballs is absolutely delicious and so much easier to make than you’d think. This completely from-scratch pasta bake is rich and hearty, and it will satisfy even the biggest eaters. Give this one a try, and I know you and your family will love it as much as mine does.

A three collage photo of spaghetti and meatballs.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Italian Sausage Penne Pasta – This delicious pasta recipe is loaded with Italian sausage, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, seasonings, penne pasta, lots of cheese and is a family favorite pasta recipe.

Cheesy Hamburger Pasta – A hearty, quick and easy, pasta recipe that can be on the table in about 30 minutes. Full of flavor, this delicious cheesy pasta recipe makes a great dinner or lunch recipe.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole – This comfort food recipe is packed with perfectly seasoned chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, tender pasta and lots of cheese.

And, this Baked Bowtie Pasta, from Deliciously Seasoned, is an absolutely scrumptious pasta recipe that the whole family is going to love and request often. Super cheesy and flavorful.

Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

Great Grub, Delicious Treats
This delicious cheesy baked spaghetti and meatballs is made with two types of sauce, a creamy white Alfredo sauce and a hearty meat sauce, lots of shredded mozzarella cheese and homemade meatballs.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 55 mins
Total Time 1 hr 25 mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10 Servings
Calories 1171 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon slap ya mama
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 28 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 12 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil

Homemade Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • ½ cup onions, diced small
  • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅛ cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoon parsley
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

White Sauce

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 16 ounce heavy whipping cream
  • 6 ounce shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup of pasta water
  • 16 ounce spaghetti noodles
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350° and spray a 9 x 13 deep dish casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook pasta per package directions for al dente.

Meat Sauce

  • In a large Dutch oven, over medium high heat, cook ground beef, Italian sausage and onions until meat is not longer pink and onions are tender. Drain and return to pan.
  • Sprinkle with seasonings, stir.
  • Pour tomato sauce and tomato paste into the meat mixture. Stir to combine, cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally.

Homemade Meatballs

  • Using a large bowl, add ground beef, Italian sausage, onions, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, seasonings and Parmesan cheese together until combined.
  • Roll meat mixture into 1 ½ inch balls and place on baking sheet.
  • Bake for 15 minutes then remove and place into pot with the meat sauce.
  • Cover and continue simmering the sauce for 20 minutes.

White Sauce

  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter and then stir in flour.
  • Pour heavy whipping cream into pan and stir until combined.
  • Add Parmesan cheese, stir until melted and add salt and pepper.
  • Add pasta water to cheese sauce, stir.
  • Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce, stir to combine.
  • Pour pasta and cheese sauce into prepared baking dish followed by meatballs and meat mixture on top.
  • Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
  • Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate.
 
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Nutrition

Calories: 1171kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 51gFat: 84gSaturated Fat: 40gCholesterol: 257mgSodium: 1939mgPotassium: 1307mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2287IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 459mgIron: 6mg
Keyword Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs, Spaghetti and Meatballs
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A round blue plate with a serving of spaghetti and meatballs on it.
A forkful of spaghetti and a meatball on it.
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Filed Under: All Recipes, Beef Recipes, Casseroles, Comfort Foods, Main Meals, Pasta Tagged With: Dinner, Homemade Meatballs, Meat Sauce, White Sauce

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :)

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Welcome to Great Grub, Delicious Treats! Hello, my name is Terri and I'm so glad you stopped by. I'm a self taught cook/foodie at heart, mom to three kids, photographer and have a love for amazing food. I left my full time job of being a hospice admissions RN, which was super tough and extremely sad, and at times, very rewarding to be there for the patients and families to blog full time which I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy, and check out, all of the delicious recipes on my site while you're here! And don't forget to sign up to receive every new recipe right to your email. Thanks again for stopping by! :) Read More…

Two slices of breakfast pizza on a white plate.
6 tomatillos 4 jalapenos, stems removed 3 serranos, stems removed 2 cloves garlic, roasted ¼ onion ¼ cup water 2 teaspoons salt 2 avocado, diced ⅓ cup cilantro In a medium saucepan, add oil and heat over medium heat. Add garlic cloves and roast until soft. Remove and add to blender or Vitamix. In the same saucepan, add tomatillos, jalapenos, serranos and onion. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium high heat until soft and the color has changed to a pale green. Remove tomatillos and continue boiling the peppers until pale green, if needed. Drain water, reserving ¼ cup. Add the cooked ingredients, salt and ½ cup water. Blend until combined and smooth. Lastly, add avocados and cilantro and blend until smooth. Serve with your favorite chips or top tacos, burritos, beef, chicken or your favorite Mexican recipes.

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