The Best Baked Spaghetti also known as Spasagna is inspired by the meal at Cheddar's. Alfredo spaghetti topped with meat sauce and cheese!
A DELICIOUS SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
Sometimes the meals I make are inspired by my favorite restaurant foods. If you've ever been to a Cheddar's restaurant then this will be a familiar dish to you. They call it Spasagna* (spaghetti plus lasagna.) If you've never heard of it, well, it's about time you do. Basically, it is cooked spaghetti noodles tossed with alfredo (cheese) sauce, topped with a meaty red sauce, cheese and then baked.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes. For most pasta casseroles/bakes, the pasta does need to be cooked before adding to the rest of the ingredients in the dish.
Most of the times it is because there is not enough liquid or sauce coating the pasta as it bakes. In this recipe the spaghetti is coated with Alfredo sauce which keeps the spaghetti from drying out.
Yes. This helps to keep the pasta from drying out as well as it keeps the steam contained within the casserole dish.
This can be made ahead of time and frozen. Then just pull it out of your freezer when ready to cook. Just be sure to add on a few minutes to the cooking time.
Place any leftovers in a lidded container. Place into the refrigerator and eat within 3 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
INGREDIENTS FOR BAKED SPAGHETTI: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- spaghetti noodles
- ground beef
- spaghetti sauce
- jar alfredo sauce (cheese sauce)
- Italian seasoning
- shredded mozzarella
HOW DO YOU MAKE BAKED SPAGHETTI:
Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles very well.
While the spaghetti noodles are cooking, brown and crumble ground beef in a large sauce pan. Drain excess grease.
Put ground beef back in pan and add spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine well.
Meanwhile, once the cooked noodles are drained, put them back into the pot. Stir in alfredo (cheese) sauce and Italian seasoning. Stir well to thoroughly coat noodles.
Place spaghetti noodles into prepared baking dish.
Cover with spaghetti sauce mixture.
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes (until cheese is melted and bubbly.)
Allow to cool for about 5-8 minutes. Then slice.
Serve with a salad and garlic bread!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
- THE BEST CHICKEN SPAGHETTI RECIPE
- FRIENDSHIP SPAGHETTI PIE
- SUMMER SPAGHETTI SALAD
- BROWN BUTTER CACIO E PEPE
- HOMEMADE PIZZA POCKETS
- FAMILY FAVORITE PEPPERONI STROMBOLI
- EASY AND DELICIOUS PIZZA PASTA BAKE
- THE BEST CHEESY GARLIC BREAD (WITH A SECRET INGREDIENT!)
- CROCK POT LASAGNA
- MY FAVORITE STUFFED SHELLS RECIPE
- MEATBALL SUB CASSEROLE
The Best Baked Spaghetti (a.k.a. Spasagna)
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 26 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 16 ounce jar alfredo sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9" x 13" baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles very well.
- While the spaghetti noodles are cooking, brown and crumble ground beef in a large sauce pan. Drain excess grease.
- Put ground beef back in pan and add spaghetti sauce. Stir to combine well.
- Meanwhile, once the cooked noodles are drained, put them back into the pot. Stir in alfredo (cheese) sauce and Italian seasoning.
- Stir well to thoroughly coat noodles.
- Place spaghetti noodles into prepared baking dish.
- Cover with spaghetti sauce mixture.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes (until cheese is melted and bubbly.)
Video
Notes
- Allow to cool for about 5-8 minutes then slice and serve with a salad and garlic bread.
- Baked Spaghetti can be frozen (see my tips above).
- Other pasta can be used: fettuccine, linguine, etc.
Nutrition
Originally published: June 2011
Updated and republished: March 2021
*Spasagna is a registered trademark of Cheddar's Restaurant
Judy
This is so easy and delicious. Even my picky eaters loved it. Will definitely make it again and again.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Judy! Makes my day when I hear the picky eaters enjoyed it - ha! Thanks so very much for taking the time to comment!
Jan
Well, these comments are now 9 years old, so I guess the recipe is also. Cant find Creamy Mozzarella sauce anywhere, not even on Ragu's website. So what would be an alternative sauce? It really looks good and I would love to try it.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Jan - just use any jarred Alfredo sauce that you enjoy!
Jillian
I don't normally comment on here but this was the best dish I've had in years! I followed recipe and made my own alfredo sauce (never found a jar of it I liked). It was truly restaurant quality and so damn good!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I am so happy you took the time to come back and comment! That is really so great to hear - thank you SO very much!
Jenni
Excellent dinner! It’s turned into a family favorite.
Greta
I’ve made this so many times and it’s always a hit!!
Jenny Mater
Big hit in my house last night! It was wonderful!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
This makes me so happy to hear. Thank you so very much Jenny!
Lory
I’ve been on the search lately for new recipes and this is one I just had to try. This was easy to make and it tasted just as good as it looks. I will never make spaghetti like I used to before. This is the way to go from now on!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I love hearing that Lory! Thank you so much!!
Tess
I made this tonight and it was yummy!! My hubby & I both loved it! So easy to put together... my kind of recipe for sure. 🙂 Thanks for a delicious recipe. 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Woo hoo! Love hearing that Tess! Thank you so very much for taking the time to come back and comment!!
Joan
Love this recipe! I'm going to test freezing the leftovers.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Joan! Thank you so much!!
Esther Whatley
I made this and it is very tasty. Next time I make it I'll use only half a box of noodles to change the ratio of meat sauce to noodles.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks so much for coming back to comment Esther!
Tess
This looks so Yummy!! Comfort food for sure & easy to make too! Will be trying this soon. thanks! 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hope you love it Tess!
Lisa Archuleta
I will definitely be making this! Sounds delicious.
Leann
I made this last weekend. I needed something that made a lot but that was easy and economical. This seemed to check all of the boxes. The hardest part was boiling the pasta so that says a lot right there. When I find ground beef on sale, I brown it and freeze it to use in recipes such as this one which made it even faster. It is almost too good to be so easy. I would encourage anyone to try it. I will definitely make again.
Tabbitha Dixon
I love you brandie as always only thing Is I will add mushrooms onions an green peppers when I make spaghetti sauce thats what is in it when I make spaghetti I be trying this my daughter want spaghetti so this will be made next in my house thank you for your recipes ive enjoyed them for almost 2 years now got another one for the books. Im a crockpotter thanks to u
Brandie @ The Country Cook
You are the sweetest! Thank you Tabbitha!! That really means so much! I personally love green peppers and onions but my picky eaters have issues with the green peppers. LOL!
Melissa
This has been my family’s favorite recipe for a few years! But I can’t find the creamy mozzarella anymore. Please has anyone found a substitute!? ????
Wendy
My family loves it and it’s easy to make!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!! Thanks so much Wendy!!
Barbara
I love this recipe and have used it for years!! Ragu no longer makes creamy mozzarella. Has anyone found an alternative??
david fullerton
Can you please post your videos on Youtube too? That way, I can link them easier. These videos don't allow me to link right to them. I plan on making this, because it looks really good.
Lori
Can I make it ahead say......2days. Then bake.
MelindaDeanna
OMG! This is going to be my go-to for "spaghetti dinner" from now on! This dish is better than Cheddar's, I think. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Tammi
My picky teenage daughter LOVED this. She ate two helpings and made me save her some for lunch the next day. This is definitely going into my recipe rotation. Thank you very much!
Rose
This is a winner it's delicious
Jennifer
Delicious!!!! So much better than plain spaghetti!!
Kathy
Has anyone made this and frozen it for later?
Dawn
Spasagna! Inspiring! New variation
Cheryl
Found this recipe today and headed to the store. Added salt, pepper, onion & garlic powder to meat sauce and used a pinch more of Italian seasoning in pasta. Baked and sampled......this is absolutely DELICIOUS! I can't wait for the feedback from my family. This will be my new potluck signature dish! Thanks for sharing!
Ali Wesson
Does anybody have the cooking instructions if freezing and know if it freezes well?
the mom
Excellent and so easy to make. There are only two of us in the house and this makes enough to freeze a portion for another date and still have enough for a lunch one day.
September
This has been a household favorite for a couple of years now! My go to recipe when I just don't know what to make! Whatever protein I have works with it!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Makes my heart SO happy to read that September!! Thank you!
Dennis
Hey,
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! This is such a unique take on two classic meals! I will definitely be trying this out!
Best,
Dennis
Brenda
This recipe was a hit at our house and I can't say that about many new things that I try. Will definitely be make no this again.
Gina N.
Tried it and LOVED it! Thank you so much for making spaghetti exciting again!
I'm new to your site. Could you recommend some of your favorite or most popular recipes? Looking for ideas on what to try next. Thank you!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Gina! Yay!!! So happy you found a recipe you love! If you are a spaghetti fan then you should definitely try my Chicken Spaghetti. It is hands-down, one of my faves! https://www.thecountrycook.net/2016/06/creamy-cheesy-chicken-spaghetti.html
Ann
Loved it!! Fed my family of six with leftovers that were just as flavorful! will definitely make this again!
KW
Thanks for a quick and easy meal for my family! It was a hit with everyone!
Becky
Made this before and my family loved!! If I doubled do you think I would bake for an hour? Thanks for your help!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Becky! Yahoo! 🙂 It may not need a full hour. Perhaps 45 minutes. You may have to play it by ear. Hope that helps!
Michelle Cannon
Our family LOVES Cheddar's!
girlfromwva
MADE THIS LAST WEEK! JUST HAD TO COME BACK AND COMMENT ABOUT HOW MUCH MY FAMILY LOVED THIS MEAL. WHAT DIDN'T GET EATEN THE FIRST NIGHT WAS READY FOR THE NEXT DAY. SO EASY TO PUT TOGETHER AND TASTES SO GOOD!
Anonymous
Well, I think I may just have found my new most favorite dish!! I love and eat pasta all the time. This one looks soooo good and like I want it right now. I like that not only does it look good but appears to be easy to make...which makes it all that much better!!! The combination of the meat, cheese sauce, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese...I think I may have died and gone to pasta heaven. Thanks for this share...can't wait to try it!!! Roy In Texas
Brandie (The Country Cook)
Hope you enjoy!
Tina
What a great idea. Looks delicious!
Rose
Excellent and easy. Made only one change. I'm making this for two people, so I cut the spaghetti ingredients in half. Used all of the meat sauce ingredients.
Carol
Okay, YUM! This was really yummy tonight and a GREAT hit. I am going to try this in a number of variations including with cheddar and alfredo in the bottom and maybe manwich with hamburger on top? That sounds good! Thanks for sharing yummy, family-friendly recipes.
Patricia Singleterry
Try topping it with chicken and more Alfredo sauce. You can actually order it with Alfredo at cheddar's and it's meatless but oh so good.
Anonymous
I have a confession! We love this recipe. I know we make it at least once a month if not twice sometimes three times! I like to switch up the meat. I leave everything else the same. I love using Turkey sausage. I have shared this with about a million people! In fact it's in my oven right now!
gmacarol
This sound so god Can't wait to try it. I cook for my 90 year old mother and 65 year old brother every night for dinner and I use a lot of your recipes. I love the recipe box feature so I can keep them all together and get them fast.
gmacarol
This sounds so delicious. Can't wait to make it.
Courtney
I made this last night and it was really good! I'm always looking to cook different things and you have plenty of recipes I want to try, I'm like a kid in a candy store. Thank you for this fabulous blog!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Courtney! I am so happy you liked this one! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Rachel
I made this for dinner today and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! My husband and two young sons were also fans. 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks so much Rachel! Yay!
Michelle
YES! I made it the other day and it was absolutely fabulous!! I used 1% milk(that's what we drink)Light Alfredo sauce, Jimmy Dean turkey sausage crumbles. While the alfredo spaghetti mixture was cooking, I just warmed the turkey crumbles up in the marinara sauce. When the spaghetti was done, I poured the marinara meat mixture on top, sprinkled on Reduced Fat grated Parmesan Cheese and popped it back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Best of both worlds. I love spaghetti and hubby loves alfredo. We were all happy!!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Love your changes to it! So happy it was a hit!
Anonymous
Has anyone acutally Made this yet? I haven't seen any reviews and just curious since it looks Awesome! Cannot wait to make it 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
I did! And it was delicious 🙂 I think you will really like this one!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay Debbie! Thank you for letting me know. So happy to hear that!
Debbie Clampitt
This was a HUGE hit at my house and very easy to make. I have to do gluten free so I used Quinoa Fettucine noodles and they held up really well if I cooked them al dente. This recipe adapted to gluten free really nicely. Thank you so much.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you Debbie!
Barbara
WOW! A mix of fettucini AND spagetti! My kids will go gaga over this one! Cannot wait to try it :))
The Country Cook
Yay! That is so wonderful!! I am so happy you like this one. thank you so very much for taking the time to let me know how much you like it!!
Anonymous
Fantastic! Paired with a nice salad it was a feast. My kids said it was "a keeper." Next time I will try reduced fat alfredo to see if it works.
Stacy Makes Cents
This is FABULOUS!!!! I made homemade Alfredo and it rocked our socks off. Yummo! I'm going to be making this for company!
Anonymous
That looks delicious! I would try it with mild italian sausage in the red sauce. Thanks for the idea. I love lasagna, but won't take the time to make it. This sounds much simpler.
LeighAnne
This was wonderful! It was so easy to make and we just loved it!
After I took the spaghetti/alfredo out of the oven and let it cool, I just put the red sauce on top and we spoon dipped it out...held up just fine!
Thanks!
Cathy Olliffe-Webster
Making this right now.... waiting for it to cool.. gawd, I don't think I can wait any longer...
Michelle
I would have loved to have made this with Alfredo sauce, but the rest of my family isn't too fond of it. So instead I mixed the spaghetti noodles with my usual lasagna ingredients (ricotta, egg, grated parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, salt and pepper), poured the meat sauce on with some more mozzarella sprinkled on top and baked. It was so yummy! My family commented that they liked it better than traditional lasagna!
Colleen
TYVM!! I have been looking for a Spasagna receipt forever. Thanks and I will be making this soon.
The Country Cook
Erin - that makes my day to hear! Thank you so much!!
Erin
Hi! Just commenting to tell you I found your blog yesterday while looking for a bacon-wrapped brats recipe (which turned out great) and tonight I made this spasagna which was also delicious. And next I'm gonna make Coca Cola cake! Your blog is ideal for someone like me who is not totally inept in the kitchen but not into being very fancy either (I can't be cooking elaborate meals cause I have picky eaters in the house). So thanks for doing what you do here!
Anonymous
Yum! This is similar to the Greek lasagne dish called pastizio, they use long ziti which is like macaronis as long as spaghetti!
Thank you my sister raved about how her family loved this dish and she sent me the link!
Liz dwelley
This was a hit in my home homr
The Country Cook
Hi Jady! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out with the spaghetti squash!! that is really good to know that you had good results too. I get asked about different types of squash on occasion so it's good to know you liked it with this recipe!!
Jady
I made it with Spaghetti Squash.... Ahhh-mazing!
The Country Cook
Thank you for letting me know Sarah!! So happy to hear the whole family enjoyed it!!
Sarah O'K
Made this tonight and everyone in the house liked it- that never happens! Thanks for sharing the recipe. It was really easy and I could clean up along the way, so it was the best kind of recipe!
The Country Cook
Momto1tot - you can certainly make it with your own sauces if you like 🙂
MoMto1ToT
can u make this with a home made alfredo sauce? and what about a home made spag meat sauce????
Anonymous
Yum can't wait to try
Janie
I'm making this tonight for dinner! I'm wondering, can I top the entire casserole with the spaghetti sauce as opposed to topping each individual piece? I was thinking I could top it with the sauce and then another layer of cheese after the initial 30 minutes and then bake for an additional ten? Any thoughts?!
The Country Cook
Hi there! I don't see why you couldn't do that. We just love a lot of red sauce on our individual pieces. Also, when you bake it all together, the red sauce tends to seep down in with the alfredo. If you're okay with that - then go for it! 🙂 You can never have too much cheese either!
Angel
This was soo yummy! Thanks for posting:)
Gnat's Mom
I made this tonight and my hubby requested that I not make my "regular" lasagna anymore, only this one! It was a big hit!
The Country Cook
Hi Gnat's Mom! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know how it turned out for you!! What a wonderful comment and I am just thrilled to know this meal made your family happy!!
Anonymous
Well of course just because I wanted to try this, I didn't have enough spaghetti, and of course, the only shred cheese I had was cheddar,but I did it anyway. I used shell macaroni. I also made my own spaghetti sauce. It was really good this way. Can hardly wait to try it with all the correct ingredients!!!
Tania
wvlady1960@yahoo.com
Kelly
This looks fantastic, what a great idea!! Just printed this recipe out, love it!! 🙂
Stacey Little
Hi Brandie!
Just wanted to pop over and tell you that we tried this tonight and were amazed! It's absolutely delicious! It's going into our "favorites" box right now!
Steph
O M G! I just saw this post...and my mouth is watering! This sounds awesome!
Loy
I am coming over from Friday Favorite Finds via Feed My Family. I have printed this out and think that it will be dinner tomorrow night. I may, however, use Italian sausage instead of the ground beef. It look delicious.
Anonymous
I always order the spasagna topped with spicy alfredo at Cheddar's. I LOVE it!
~*Brandi*~
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates
Yum! I really have to make this - my family would love it! And nice to have a little twist on regular old spaghetti. Thanks!
Jess
I made this for dinner, and everyone loved it! I was hesitant about the mixing of alfredo and spaghetti sauce, but it was great. This is definitely a keeper. Thanks!
The Country Cook
Thank you so much to those of you who have come back to comment on how much you enjoyed it. It really warms my heart to know y'all are making this food and enjoying it. Or else I wouldn't be doing this blog! So it is so nice to hear - thank you!
countryliving
Loved it!
Kim
I made this recipe last week for a Pampered Chef party that I hosted last week. Everyone loved it and I even had a little left for my husband to try. I would make this again!! I found your blog though a post by Pillsbury. I am so happy to have found your blog and the great recipes!
Avril
Such a great dish! Goodness, I can not wait to make it!!! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Muriel Miller
Seriously Yummo! Brandie this looks soooo good! I am so making this for dinner this week!
Flora
How have I missed this on the Cheddar's menu?! Actually, we're quite new to Cheddar's - we just got one in the town next to us and that place is packed 24/7! But we really like going there. Hhhmmm ... I think I'll have to look this dish up! Your version looks delicious, and I bet your version, even if it isn't *exactly* like the restaurant's dish tastes pretty darn good! 🙂
Brooks at Cakewalker
My word, this is my kind of dish! Ingenious, but simple. Can't say I've come across a dish like it, but I think restaurants in the east have something going on that I need to check out. Thank you Brandie for sending this recipe out west.
AndiWinslow
Love pasta, adding this to my next pasta making day. Looks wonderful thank you for sharing Andi
Andrea @ From the Bookshelf
THis looks great! What a terrific idea!
Kristen
I love the name. I love the idea. I am definitely going to have to try this.
Annie
I sometimes like to make a lasagna using spaghetti noodles and thought that's what this was at first but was pleasantly surprised to see that it isn't. I love everything that is in it. Especially the Alfredo sauce. My family would love this!
Karen
Wow does this recipe look fantastic. I cannot wait to try it out. Yum.
Erin
What a great idea! This looks creamy and delicious!
Angie
Love it!!! You are so creative, Brandie!!! We are having Chili spaghetti tonight & I am going to have left over noodles, now I know exactly what I am going to do with them. ~Angie
Kim
Oh Bran... I really like this recipe! I will have to give this a try since Pasta is my little man's favorite food!
Steph@PlainChicken.com
I will be making this very soon! Love that it has alfredo and red sauce. It is the best of both worlds!
Veronica Gantley
Oh yeah, its like spagetti pie. I love it and I will bet it freezes well. Great job on the recipe.
Patti
I love anything with meat sauce and this looks great Brandie! When one of my boys were small, he could never pronounce lasagna..He would call it zalagna! - When I saw the title of this recipe it reminded me of that! :o)
Sieglinde
My whole family, myself included LOVEEE any kind of pasta that you get to mix Alfredo AND meat sauce. I first started eating the 2 mixed together when I was pregnant with Chloe...my tummy couldn't handle straight red/meat sauce on spaghetti, but I would crave it like mad. So, at Olive Garden, I would order a bowl of spaghetti with 1/2 Alfredo and 1/2 meat sauce. They always thought I was nuts-o, but you never want to deny a preggo. Long story short, I cannot WAIT to make this, I already know we would LOVE it!
Pretend Chef
We have a Cheddars on the other side of the freeway but I'm partial to Cracker Barrel. I really need to be more adventurous when dining out. Haha! This recipe title reminded me of the first time I heard of spaghetti tacos thanks to a show called iCarly. This dish looks delicious no matter what it's called. Yummy!
Holly
You KNOW this is my kind of food!! LOVE THIS Bran. I will be making this one asap!
Ang
I'm book marking this one for sure. I think I'll take the long route though and do the Alfredo sauce(since my husband is a sucker for it) and maybe change up the beef for ground Turkey. I'm so excited about this, can you tell?? Thanks for sharing! luvs
jill@MadAboutMacarons
Dada! Brandie, you are brrrrilliant. I love this and will have to make spasagna for a real change. FANTASTIC. Have a great week 🙂
Lizzy
Love the name of this one, Brandie 🙂
It reminds me of the spaghetti pie I make...so yummy...I know yours is, too!
Aimee
Looks like a great meal, thanks for sharing!
Aimee
spcookiequeeen
I couldn't figure out what it was by the name, until I looked closer. How cool it is spaghetti in a lasagna form, I don't think I've ever seen that. I like it, hope all is well with you.
-Gina-
Kate
Love it!! I may give the boot to something on the menu this week to try it...
Sabrina
what a quick and hearty meal! I love this idea and it looks fantastic!