Description
This TikTok-inspired spaghetti recipe is a decadent layered casserole featuring a flavorful ground beef red sauce, creamy homemade Alfredo-coated pasta, and a melted mozzarella cheese topping. Baked to bubbly perfection, this dish serves 8 and is ideal for a hearty family meal or sharing at gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Red Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces spaghetti
For the Alfredo Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
Topping
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Dried Italian seasoning, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare Red Sauce: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper, sautéing until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add ground beef, cooking and crumbling it until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess grease. Season with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and pour in the spaghetti sauce. Stir and set the red sauce aside.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spaghetti in salted water (1 tablespoon salt added) according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pan, melt butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over the garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook the flour. Remove the pan from heat and slowly whisk in heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Return to heat and mix in Parmesan cheese, cooking gently until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Alfredo: Add the drained spaghetti to the Alfredo sauce, tossing thoroughly to coat each strand evenly.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the Alfredo-coated pasta evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the red sauce over the pasta layer carefully, without mixing.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbling.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the baked casserole to cool for 10 minutes. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley and a little dried Italian seasoning on top. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to drain the ground beef well to avoid excess grease in the red sauce.
- Cooking the pasta al dente will prevent it from becoming mushy after baking.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter Alfredo sauce, though it will be less rich.
- Fresh parsley and Italian seasoning garnish add a nice burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
