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.
Next time try the Chicken Spaghetti Recipe - this casserole is creamy, cheesy and delicious!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Just like traditional spaghetti, it's a hearty and delicious meal and there's plenty of cheesy goodness!
✔️ It's an easy dish to make ahead of time and freeze for later.
✔️ Perfect for feeding a large crowd, you'll love this fun twist for pasta night!
Ingredients you’ll need
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
- 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.
- parmesan cheese
- pasta water
Creative variations to try
- 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.
Step-by-step 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 oven, and spray the casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season and boil a large pot of water, and cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions.
- Place the cooked pasta into a large mixing bowl. Add the canned soup and reserved cup of pasta water. Mix to combine, then pour into the bottom of the dish.
- Top with meatballs. Pour the pasta sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Optional - Remove foil and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese is browned. Garnish with fresh parsley, enjoy!
Essential tools for this recipe
- Casserole dish
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Large bowl
- Aluminum foil
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Frequently asked questions (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 perfect for the Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe!
- Fresh basil or parsley is a great garnish for this dish.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer - This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Just place the leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer.
Reheat - Reheat this pasta dish in the oven at 350 degrees until warmed through. Or reheat in the microwave on 50% power in 1-minute increments until warm.
More recipes you’ll love
- A new family favorite will be this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe. Be sure to give it a try!!
- Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini - cheesy pasta deliciousness right here, with all of your favorite ingredients!
- Johnny Marzetti Casserole - beefy and cheesy this pasta bake is. a hearty meal!
- The Stuffed Pepper Casserole next it's one of our favorites!
- Filled with classic flavors, this Tuna Casserole recipe will quickly become a family favorite!
- If you love a good pasta casserole, then you are going to want to give this Pizza Spaghetti recipe a try next time.
Serve with
- 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!
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!
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.