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ella's baked spaghetti

(2 ratings)
Quinnn avatar
Recipe by
Family Favorites
@Quinnn
Not Far From Green Bay, WI

My mom, Ella, made this for us for as long as I can remember. I've made this hundreds of times, but a little different each time, depending on what I have on hand. I was asked for this recipe after posting a photo of it, but there really isn't a precise recipe, which makes it beautifully customizable to your family's likes and dislikes. It's super easy with everyday pantry staples making it the perfect choice for unexpected company or just a quick and easy recipe for a busy day.

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(2 ratings)
yield 6 -8
prep time 25 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For ella's baked spaghetti

  • 1-1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
  • 1- 24 oz. jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
  • 1-2 tb. brown sugar, depending on how sweet your pasta sauce is. we like a sweeter sauce vs. an acidic one. omit if you wish.
  • 1-2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 med-large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 red, orange or yellow pepper, chopped
  • 8 oz. of your favorite pasta or spaghetti. this time, i used cavatappi. you may not use it all.
  • salt & pepper
  • 1-2 tsp. italian seasoning
  • 1 tb. parsley flakes
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup of shredded cheese, your choice. i used a blend of three cheddars

How To Make ella's baked spaghetti

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • 2
    Add ground beef to a large skillet, leaving a little bigger chunks than usual. Don't break up too finely. Add onion, peppers and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until meat is no longer pink and celery is tender.
  • 3
    Add jarred spaghetti sauce and taste. If it seems acidic, add brown sugar. Add Italian seasoning, parsley and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Keep warm.
  • 4
    Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain. Season with salt and pepper. Add drained pasta a little at a time until the pasta is fully covered in sauce and meat. Too much pasta and it will be dry.
  • 5
    Lightly butter a large casserole dish (...mine is a 2 1/2 qt.) and add pasta mixture. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly in center. Add cheese to top and return to oven for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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