Ingredients:

  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp (5 g) dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp (3 g) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) black pepper
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
  • 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
  3. Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until soft.
  4. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in marinara sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a bowl: Combine ricotta, egg, and parsley; mix well.
  6. Assemble casserole: In a large baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti. Spread meat sauce over spaghetti.
  7. Dollop ricotta mixture on top. Layer remaining spaghetti and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  8. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving; garnish with fresh basil if desired.