The Country Cook

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Easy Baked Spaghetti (Spasagna)

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Spasagna

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* there (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, baked in the oven, and then topped with a meaty red sauce. After I tasted this years ago, I knew I had to recreate a version of it at home.

Now, you will never hear me say that something tastes exactly like it does in a restaurant. Because the truth is, I can never get anything exactly like it is in the restaurant. But I can come close sometimes and I think the end result of this one turns out pretty darn good, even if it isn’t an exact match.

Easy Baked Spaghetti

For this recipe, I’ve used some convenience foods to save time (and dishes!) But if you have the time and don’t mind dirtying up a few more pots, you can definitely have fun with this recipe by making your own alfredo sauce and meat sauce from scratch.Easy Baked Spaghetti (Spasagna)

Ingredients:
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 pound of ground beef
1 (26 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (16 oz.) jar alfredo sauce (cheese sauce)
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella
I really love this Ragu cheese sauce. This one is the Creamy Mozzarella version. There are other flavors (like garlic, etc.) You should be able to find this near the spaghetti sauce in your grocery store. It is such a time saver and adds a lot of creaminess and flavor.
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray 9×13 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.
Mmm…look at those yummy layers!
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes (until cheese is melted and bubbly.)
Allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Then slice and serve.
Serve with a yummy salad and garlic bread!
Enjoy!
 
5 from 41 votes
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Easy Baked Spaghetti (Spasagna)
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 563 kcal
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ingredients
  • 1 lb spaghetti noodles
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 16 oz jar alfredo sauce
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350f degrees.
  2. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  3. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
  4. Drain noodles very well.
  5. While the spaghetti noodles are cooking, brown and crumble ground beef in a large sauce pan.
  6. Drain excess grease.
  7. Put ground beef back in pan and add spaghetti sauce.
  8. Stir to combine well.
  9. Meanwhile, once the cooked noodles are drained, put them back into the pot.
  10. Stir in alfredo (cheese) sauce and Italian seasoning.
  11. Stir well to thoroughly coat noodles.
  12. Place spaghetti noodles into prepared baking dish.
  13. Cover with spaghetti sauce mixture.
  14. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  15. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes (until cheese is melted and bubbly.)
Recipe Notes

Allow to cool for about 10 minute then slice and serve with a salad and garlic bread.

Nutrition Facts
Easy Baked Spaghetti (Spasagna)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 563 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 99mg 33%
Sodium 1080mg 45%
Potassium 611mg 17%
Total Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 6g
Protein 26g 52%
Vitamin A 11.9%
Vitamin C 7.8%
Calcium 18.3%
Iron 17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Spasagna is a registered trademark of Cheddar’s Restaurant

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Comments

  3. 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-

    Reply

  6. Dada! Brandie, you are brrrrilliant. I love this and will have to make spasagna for a real change. FANTASTIC. Have a great week 🙂

    Reply

  7. 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

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Reply

  10. 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!

    Reply

  11. 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)

    Reply

  14. Oh Bran… I really like this recipe! I will have to give this a try since Pasta is my little man's favorite food!

    Reply

  15. 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

    Reply

  18. 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!

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  23. 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! 🙂

    Reply

  26. 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!

    Reply

  28. 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!

    Reply

  29. 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!

    Reply

  30. Yum! I really have to make this – my family would love it! And nice to have a little twist on regular old spaghetti. Thanks!

    Reply

  32. 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.

    Reply

  34. 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!

    Reply

  36. 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

    Reply

  38. I made this tonight and my hubby requested that I not make my "regular" lasagna anymore, only this one! It was a big hit!

    Reply

  40. 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!

    Reply

  41. 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?!

    Reply

  45. 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!

    Reply

  48. 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!!

    Reply

  50. 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!

    Reply

  51. 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!

    Reply

  54. 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!

    Reply

  56. 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!

    Reply

  57. 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.

    Reply

  59. 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.

    Reply

  62. 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.

    Reply

  64. Has anyone acutally Made this yet? I haven't seen any reviews and just curious since it looks Awesome! Cannot wait to make it 🙂

    Reply

  65. 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!!!

    Reply

  66. I made this for dinner today and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! My husband and two young sons were also fans. 🙂

    Reply

  67. 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!

    Reply

  69. 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.

    Reply

  70. 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!

    Reply

  72. 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.

    Reply

  73. 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.

    Reply

  75. 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

    Reply

  76. 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!

    Reply

  81. 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!!!

    Reply

  83. 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

    Reply

  84. 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!

    Reply

  85. 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.

    Reply

  87. 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!

    Reply

  92. 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!

    Reply

  93. 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.

    Reply

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