Description

Experience Easy Southern Spaghetti a creamy weeknight dinner that comes together fast and tastes indulgentmade simple for busy evenings now

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (or a beef-sausage blend)

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup beef or chicken broth

1 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

12 ounces spaghetti, cooked to al dente

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Optional: 4 ounces cream cheese

Optional: pinch red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons olive oil

Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat and return to the pan.
Stir in tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes to bloom the spices and deepen the flavor.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you’re using cream cheese, whisk it in now until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with a few ladles of sauce until evenly coated. You can also simply fold the sauce into the pasta to keep strands well-coated.
Spread half of the pasta in your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese, creating a cheesy layer on top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden. If you like a deeper browning, turn on the broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main course
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6 servings
Calories: 560 calories
Sugar: 9 g
Fat: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 68 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g

Keywords: Easy Southern Baked Spaghetti, Southern comfort food, pasta bake, weeknight dinner, family-friendly, garlic and onion, mozzarella parmesan bake, casserole, Italian-inspired, gluten-free option, dairy-free option, meal prep