Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 05/28/21
Spaghetti and meatball casserole
Bartosz Luczak/Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Baked spaghetti and meatballs is a super easy five-ingredient casserole recipe sure to be a hit with the kids. This is comfort food in its most pure form. The combination of tender pasta, savory and soft meatballs, a lightly seasoned tomato sauce, and salty Parmesan cheese is always welcome, especially on the coldest winter day.

This is a wonderful recipe for busy cooks because it's a one-dish meal. Just sauté the onion and cook the pasta until it's almost done, then mix everything together, cover it, and pop it into the oven. In about half an hour, you can serve delicious Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Serve this easy recipe with toasted garlic bread and a green salad tossed with fresh veggies. Some iced tea or a glass of red wine would be delicious. And enjoy every bite.

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 1 pound spaghetti

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozenmeatballs

  • 1 (26-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Green salad, optional serving

  • Garlic bread, optional for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a 13-inch-by-9-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti until almost al dente; drain and rinse with hot water and set aside.

  4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook and stir for 3 minutes.

  5. Add the frozen meatballs; cook and stir for 3 minutes longer.

  6. Add the spaghetti sauce and stir.

  7. Pour the water into the spaghetti sauce jar; close jar, and shake vigorously. Pour this mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Simmer 4 minutes.

  8. Stir in the spaghetti.

  9. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and top with the Parmesan cheese.

  10. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until the casserole is bubbly.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use your own homemade meatballs in place of the purchased ones. Just bake them and add to the casserole.
  • If you choose to use whole wheat or whole grain pasta in this recipe, you may need to bake the casserole a bit longer. Just pull out a strand of spaghetti and taste it when you think it's done. The spaghetti should be tender, but still feel slightly firm - that's the definition of al dente.
  • You could also add more vegetables to this five-ingredient recipe. I would cook some minced garlic, shredded carrots, and chopped celery along with the onion for more taste and nutrition.
  • And remember that the spaghetti sauce you buy can be nutritious too; just look for brands that add more veggies.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
451 Calories
23g Fat
42g Carbs
19g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 451
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 7g 37%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Sodium 1232mg 54%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 19g
Vitamin C 4mg 18%
Calcium 156mg 12%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 785mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)