Baked spaghetti and meatball casserole is a fun twist on that classic favorite dinner. It is easier to make than lasagna and more fun too!

Bowl of cheesy baked spaghetti and meatballs next to casserole dish with more pasta inside.

On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed…. Of course spaghetti and meatballs is one of those foods that makes you feel like a kid again.

There is something so fun about long noodles covered in sauce and cheese. Plus there is a satisfaction that comes with taking a bite out of a meatball.

Bowl of baked spaghetti and meatballs next to casserole dish with more inside.

Ingredients including spaghetti noodles, eggs, cottage cheese, marinara sauce, meatballs, mozzarella cheese, and seasonings ready to be made into baked spaghetti and meatballs.

This baked spaghetti and meatball casserole gives you everything you love about the classic combination only better. It is a little bit like the best parts of lasagna mixed with ‘sketti for the perfect combination.

Of course it takes a little bit longer to make, but you can assemble it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it off if you want. Just add a few minutes to the bake time to compensate for its colder starting temperature.

Bowl of spaghetti noodles coated in egg and cheese mixture.

Egg and cheese coated spaghetti in a casserole dish with meatballs scattered over the top.

The time it spends in the oven is time well spent, I assure you. And it will give you plenty of time to make a simple salad and some garlic bread to round out the dinner.

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Substitutions and Variations

We have been enjoying this spaghetti and meatball bake for years. It originally appeared on the site in 2016 and we have remade it quite a few times since.

I usually use the frozen meatballs from the grocery store for convenience. However, you can certainly use homemade meatballs if you prefer.

Marinara sauce distributed over the meatballs on top of cheesy spaghetti mixture in casserole dish.

Baked spaghetti and meatballs topped with melty cheese, ready to serve.

It is great with either ricotta cheese or cottage cheese. Here in the Midwest they are used interchangeably in dishes like this and lasagna. We have tried both and both are tasty in this spaghetti bake.

Okay, let’s get to cooking. Dinner isn’t going to make itself!

Casserole dish filled with baked spaghetti and meatballs casserole with one serving missing showing the cheesy pasta, sauce, and meatballs inside.

4.89 from 26 ratings

Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Author: Carlee

Servings: Servings

Baked spaghetti and meatball casserole is a fun twist on that classic favorite dinner. It is easier to make than lasagna and more fun too!

Prep: 15

Cook: 45

Total: 1

Ingredients

Instructions

Cook 16 ounces spaghetti noodles to al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Once your spaghetti is cool enough to handle, stir together 24 ounces cottage cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 4 large eggs, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Toss the noodles in this mixture and press into a well greased 9×13 pan.
Place 1 pound meatballs on top of spaghetti and distribute 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce over the casserole.
Cover and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Remove cover and sprinkle with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to oven uncovered to bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned to your liking.
Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then cut and serve.

Notes

Feel free to use a tub of ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese if that is your preference, it is good either way.
You can use homemade meatballs in this recipe. Cook them according to your recipe’s directions before putting them on the casserole. Frozen meatballs also work great. They help to make this a quick and easy meal.