Description
This comforting Spaghetti Casserole combines ground beef, aromatic onions, spaghetti, and a flavorful tomato-basil sauce slow-cooked to perfection, topped with melted Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 2 pounds ground round
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into pieces
- 1 (26-oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
- 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Cheese
- 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground round, chopped onion, and minced garlic, stirring frequently until the beef is crumbled and no longer pink. Drain excess fat and return the meat mixture to the skillet.
- Layer Slow Cooker: Lightly grease a 5-quart slow cooker. Spoon half of the cooked meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, evenly distribute the broken spaghetti pieces over the meat. Then, layer the remaining half of the meat mixture on top of the spaghetti.
- Prepare Sauce and Assemble: In a bowl, combine the tomato-and-basil pasta sauce, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, ½ cup water, and dried Italian seasoning. Pour this sauce mixture evenly over the layered meat and spaghetti in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the shredded sharp Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the Low setting for 4 hours, allowing the spaghetti to cook through and the flavors to meld together.
- Rest and Serve: After cooking, let the casserole stand, covered, for 10 minutes to firm up. Serve portions topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti into smaller pieces helps it cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Using fire-roasted tomatoes adds a slight smoky depth to the dish.
- You can substitute ground round with ground beef or turkey based on preference.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Ensure to drain the cooked ground beef well to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
