Baked Spaghetti Casserole (gluten free option)

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This baked spaghetti casserole is cozy comfort food at it’s best! Think: spaghetti with meat sauce, a creamy center, and then topped with hot and bubbly cheese! This is a casserole the whole family will love!

Baked Spaghetti Casserole by myheartbeets

The best thing about this baked spaghetti casserole – besides the fact that it’s delicious – is that it’s the perfect dish to make for large gatherings! That’s because it’s well-liked by all, especially kids!

I mean, what’s not to love? This baked spaghetti dish is layered with meat sauce and ricotta (or cream) cheese and then topped with even more cheese!

This casserole is a great make-ahead meal – it stores well in the fridge and freezer. So if you have guests coming over this holiday season, make this casserole before they come and freeze it! Then relax, enjoy, and entertain!

Baked Spaghetti Casserole by myheartbeets

I’m not sure who originally thought to make spaghetti and then bake it with cheese, but it’s such a brilliant idea! It’s a nice change from lasagna and let’s admit it – spaghetti noodles are way more fun to eat.

While this recipe does require some prep work, once it’s done, you can relax and know you’ve got a dish that’ll feed a lot of people. Perfect for this holiday season and holiday visitors! This is a great dish to enjoy during Christmas week!

It’s also a great dish to make a new mom, a busy mom, or well, anyone who could use a tasty casserole.

Baked Spaghetti Casserole by myheartbeets

Eat some casserole on its own or serve it with a salad for a more complete meal! Garlic bread/toast would also be so perfect with this! Mmmmm…

Enjoy!

Baked Spaghetti Casserole by myheartbeets

Baked Spaghetti Casserole (gluten free option)

Baked Spaghetti Casserole by myheartbeets

Baked Spaghetti Casserole (gluten free option)

5 from 15 reviews
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Servings 10

Ingredients
 

  • 12 ounces gluten free or regular spaghetti, cooked 2-3 minutes less than the package recommends
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey or meat of choice
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 red/orange/yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1 28 – 32 ounce jar marinara sauce of your choice (I love Rao’s Homemade)
  • 1 cup high quality grassfed ricotta cheese OR 4 ounces of softened cream cheese (½ package)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella divided
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan
  • Fresh parsley garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Heat a dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Once it heats up, add the ground turkey, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned.
  • Add the bell pepper and stir, then add the marinara sauce and cooked noodles and mix well.
  • Pour half of this mixture into a 9×13 baking pan (or split between two smaller baking pans like the 7-inch round pictured above), then add the ricotta or cream cheese as well as 1 cup of the mozzarella.
  • Then add the remaining pasta mixture and top the casserole with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes then broil for an additional couple of minutes for a bubbly crust if desired.

Notes

  • You can make one large batch of baked spaghetti by using one 9×13 baking pan OR you can split this into two batches and freeze one for another day. We usually freeze half as we’re a small family of two adults and a toddler. The frozen leftovers also taste amazing – just as good as fresh!
  • Layering the pasta doesn’t have to be exact. This is a forgiving recipe.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @myheartbeets on Instagram and hashtag it #myheartbeets!

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Hi, I’m Ashley. Thanks for being here! I truly believe that food brings us closer together. Gather around a table with good food and good people, and you’ll have the ingredients you need to create some happy memories. My hope is that you find recipes here that you can’t wait to share with family and friends.

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Comments

  1. Melanie Golden says

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this recipe if you can believe it I actually forgot mozzarella so I used Colby Jack and it was delicious!!!!

  2. R. says

    5 stars
    This recipe was great and easy to make. I made it gluten free and vegetarian (using Trader Joe’s Beefless Grounds). I added some fresh tomatoes too. Thanks for the recipe!

    Question: I divided it and cooked it in two smaller portions. How do you suggest freezing/storing it? And what are the reheating suggestions?

    • My Heart Beets says

      I’m so happy to hear that! And great to know it works well with beefless “meat”! After you cook it, allow it to come to room temp then chill it in the fridge. Once cold, cover it and put it in the freezer 🙂 You can warm it up from frozen – it’ll take 45 mins to an hour – just keep an eye on it!

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