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One-Pot Cheesy Baked Spaghetti With Meat Sauce - Cozy, Easy, and Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a mix)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite jar or homemade)
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth (or water), plus more as needed
  • 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
  • 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, divided
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Break the spaghetti in half so it fits easily in the pot.
  2. Brown the meat: In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Build flavor: Add onion and cook until softened, 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add liquids: Pour in marinara and broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Cook the pasta: Add the spaghetti, submerging the strands. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Add a splash more broth or water if it looks too dry. Pasta should be just shy of al dente.
  6. Cheesy layer: Remove from heat. Stir in the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan until creamy and evenly distributed. Taste and adjust salt.
  7. Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Transfer the pot to the oven and bake 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  8. Optional broil: For golden, bubbly edges, broil 1–2 minutes. Watch closely.
  9. Rest and serve: Let it stand 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.