Description
Comfort meets Southern charm in Paula Deen’s baked spaghetti, a hearty casserole blending pasta, ground beef, and melted cheese. Creamy, rich layers promise a crowd-pleasing meal that brings warmth to dinner tables and delights hungry guests with classic American flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked angel hair pasta
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 small bay leaves
Seasonings:
- 1.5 teaspoons Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
- 1.5 teaspoons Paula Deen Seasoned Salt
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1.5 teaspoons sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Craft the aromatic tomato sauce by melding diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, finely chopped onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, fresh parsley, selected seasonings, a hint of sugar, and bay leaves in a spacious stockpot. Elevate the heat to bring the mixture to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, covering and allowing the flavors to meld for 60 minutes (1 hour).
- While the sauce develops, transform the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the meat thoroughly, cooking until it loses its pink hue and becomes perfectly browned. Carefully drain any excess fat, then incorporate the cooked beef into the simmering sauce, allowing it to continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes.
- Prepare the angel hair pasta according to package guidelines, ensuring it reaches the ideal al dente texture. Drain the pasta completely and set aside, keeping it warm and ready for assembly.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Select a 13 x 9 x 2-inch (33 x 23 x 5 centimeters) baking dish and create a foundational layer of sauce across the bottom. Strategically arrange a layer of pasta, then distribute slightly less than half of the combined cheeses. Repeat the layering process, concluding with a final generous sauce topping.
- Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the dish, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and return to the oven until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust, approximately 5 additional minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest and slightly cool for easier serving. Slice into neat squares, revealing the beautiful layers, and serve while still warm and inviting.
Notes
- Savor the slow-simmered sauce that develops rich, complex flavors during its gentle hour-long cooking process.
- Perfectly time your pasta cooking to achieve that ideal al dente texture that holds up beautifully in the casserole.
- Eliminate excess grease by thoroughly draining the ground beef, transforming your dish from potentially heavy to delightfully light.
- Create a harmonious cheese distribution that guarantees maximum flavor in every single bite of the casserole.
- Allow the baked masterpiece a brief moment of rest, letting the layers meld and set for picture-perfect serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1,048mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 120mg