What could be better than a warm, hearty dish of Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs on a busy weeknight? This classic Italian comfort food is easy to make and always hits the spot.
Plus, just like the traditional pasta recipe, it's perfect for feeding a crowd! So, gather your friends and family around the dinner table for some good old-fashioned comfort food.
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Baked spaghetti and meatballs
Just like traditional spaghetti, it's a hearty and delicious meal and there's plenty of cheesy goodness! This is an easy dish to make ahead of time and freeze for later. It's great when you're feeding a large crowd, you'll love this fun twist for pasta night!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for this delicious casserole, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- spaghetti noodles
- jar of marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
- Can of golden mushroom soup (not cream of mushroom)
- frozen cooked meatballs - of course you make your own Italian meatballs using lean ground beef, ground pork, large eggs, etc. but this is a great time to take a shortcut!
- shredded mozzarella cheese - Monterey Jack cheese would be delicious as well.
Baked Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti cooked to al dente and drained
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 10.5 ounces Golden Mushroom Soup
- 18 meatballs purchase frozen cooked meatballs
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ½ cup pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil on the stove. Cook the pasta to al dente, as per package instructions, drain well. Reserving ½ cup pasta water.
- Place the cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the golden mushroom soup and pasta water. Mix to combine, and the pasta noodles into the prepared baking dish.
- Place meatballs on top of the pasta (no need to thaw the meatballs). Pour pasta sauce over the meatballs and sprinkled with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Optional - Remove foil and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese is browned. Enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the spaghetti and meatball dinner. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Pre heat the oven, and prep the casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta to al dente.
- Add the cooked pasta, golden mushroom soup and pasta water to a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine, then pour into the bottom of the dish.
- Top with meatballs then the pasta sauce. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven. Bake until hot & bubbly.
FAQ's
No need to thaw the meatballs prior to baking, they cook in the oven with the casserole.
Yes, this can be prepared and frozen before baking. Hold off on the cheese topping, though. Add that before you put it in the oven. This is a great make-ahead meal.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
You can certainly make your own fresh meatballs using Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, etc, but I love taking a shortcut and using store-bought frozen meatballs. It's a great shortcut for the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe!
- Fresh basil or parsley is a great garnish for this dish.
Variations
- Use this recipe for ground turkey homemade meatballs instead.
- Not a fan of mushrooms? You can leave out the golden mushroom soup, and use a little Alfredo sauce or sour cream instead for creaminess.
- If you want a little more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the casserole.
- If you don't have a jar of sauce on hand, you can easily make homemade marinara sauce.
- Nestle giant meatballs into the pasta; the kids would love those! Just be sure they are completely cooked prior to baking with the pasta.
- For extra veggies, add in some sautéed onions, mushrooms, spinach or peppers.
Related recipes
- A new family favorite will be this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe. Be sure to give it a try!!
- Ooooh this recipe for Philly Cheesesteak Spaghetti? Cheesy and drool-worthy!
- If you love a good pasta casserole, then you are going to want to give this Pizza Spaghetti recipe a try next time.
Serving suggestions
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread is a great way to enjoy this savory side without needing oven space.
- A Caesar Salad of course! Grab a bag of salad at the grocery store and make it easy on yourself!
- I always end this comfort food meal with a simple sweet dessert like these Butterscotch Haystacks.
There's a whole list of What to serve with Spaghetti here - tons of great ideas!
Yum, yum, yum! Baked spaghetti and meatballs is such a simple recipe! I hope you enjoy the casserole. Please comment below!
Ann S. says
I made this tonight for dinner for just me and my husband, so I halved the recipe. We loved it, the flavor was spot on. I have never used Golden Mushroom soup in a recipe, but after reading the ingredients in the soup, I could see that all the spices/flavorings are in there. Much easier than adding those separately. I will definitely be making this again when the whole family is together!
Debra Clark says
That's awesome Ann! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!! I often make this and split it into 4 seperate containers. It freezes great, so that might be an option for the future? Splitting works too though, I totally get that. I appreciate you coming back to rate the recipe and comment. Thank you!
Sally Hart says
I made it last night for supper and it was a home run!!! So good, easy too!
Thanks,
Sally
Debra Clark says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe Sally, thanks for coming back and commenting! I appreciate your support!!!
Donna A Vittitoe says
Can this made put together the night before, refrigerated then baked the next morning?
Debra Clark says
Absolutely! You'll want to add some extra sauce, probably about a cup so it's good and saucy when you bake it on day two. Enjoy the casserole Donna!
Donna A Vittitoe says
Thank you
Debra Clark says
You bet Donna - enjoy!
Cindy says
This is SO much easier to serve and store - and it's delicious!
Camden says
Baked spaghetti and meatballs is such a great way to serve up this classic combination! Everyone loves it!
Kristen says
We have been eating A LOT of spaghetti because groceries are so expensive, and I need to stick to a tight budget, and my daughter and I were just commiserating about how sick of it we are, haha! I will give this yummy baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe a try, so that we can switch it up a bit!
Alyssa says
This meatball casserole looks amazing. I know my family would really enjoy this, and it is a perfect weekday meal!
Cynthia says
This meatball casserole is so easy, and good!
Brittany says
I keep ingredients on hand so I can make this meatball casserole anytime. It's a favorite around here!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Making this again for one of our boy's birthday dinners. It has become a "most-requested" in our household. Thanks for sharing this with us!!!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Dan - Happy Birthday to your son! I hope his birthday is fabulous and dinner is yummy! Enjoy the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs, it's such an easy recipe!
Karen Luedtke says
what size casserole dish are you using for a single batch?
Bowl Me Over says
This is made in a 9x13 casserole dish.
Charity says
Would cream of mushroom soup work?
Bowl Me Over says
I have never used cream of mushroom. It would make a much creamier casserole. I think it would be good but since I've never tried or recipe-tested it, I can't say for sure.