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A serving of Easy Weeknight Southern Spaghetti Bake topped with melted cheese and basil.

Easy Weeknight Southern Spaghetti Bake

A comforting Southern-inspired spaghetti bake that's quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Southern
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot
  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • large saucepan

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Meat

  • 1 pound dried spaghetti pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper rinsed, seeded, and chopped
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat

Seasonings

  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional

Sauce and Cheese

  • 1 24-ounce jar pasta sauce store-bought
  • 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 0.66 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.66 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in a large saucepan until al dente according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil on medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot.
  • Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until onion is translucent and veggies begin to soften, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute.
  • Add ground meat, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until almost cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Season meat mixture with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and crushed red pepper. Stir to combine everything.
  • Add pasta sauce and diced tomatoes and give everything another good stir. Season with more salt and pepper to taste, cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
  • Add cooked spaghetti and stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Carefully transfer spaghetti to your prepared baking dish and top with shredded cheeses.
  • Bake spaghetti for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve spaghetti immediately with cornbread or garlic bread if desired.

Notes

Serve with cornbread or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Keyword Comfort Food, Dinner Ideas, Easy Meals, Pasta Recipes