3 Classic Spaghetti Recipes with Ground Beef for Dinner

When the dinner bell rings, there are few phrases more universally loved than “we’re having spaghetti.” It’s the ultimate comfort food, a dish that promises a hearty, satisfying, and delicious meal. Today, we’re exploring three classic and beloved spaghetti recipes with ground beef that are perfect for any night of the week.

We’ll start with the quintessential family favorite, a rich and savory Classic Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, a recipe that everyone should know how to make.

Then, we’ll dive into another comforting classic, Baked Spaghetti, a cheesy, layered casserole that’s a perfect make-ahead meal.

Finally, for a fun and kid-friendly twist, we’ll make a one-pan Cheesy Taco Spaghetti that’s a guaranteed hit.

These recipes showcase just how versatile a simple box of spaghetti and a package of ground beef can be. Let’s get that sauce simmering!

Essential Tools

• Large Dutch Oven or a Heavy-Bottomed Pot
• Large Skillet
• 9×13 inch Baking Dish
• Wooden Spoon or Spatu-la
• Large Pot for Cooking Pasta
• Colander
• Cheese Grater

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Recipe 1: Classic Weeknight Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

This is the timeless, go-to recipe for a reason. It’s a rich, savory, and deeply comforting sauce that tastes like it has been simmering all day, but comes together in about an hour.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Ingredients

• Lean Ground Beef: 1.5 lbs.
• Aromatics: 1 large onion, finely chopped, and 4 cloves of garlic, minced.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 oz) can.
• Tomato Paste: 2 tbsp.
• Beef Broth: 1 cup.
• Seasonings: 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 bay leaf.
• A Little Sweetness: 1 tsp of sugar (optional, to balance acidity).
• Spaghetti: 1 lb.
• Garnish: Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics

First, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned.

Drain off all of the excess fat from the pot. Add the chopped onion to the pot with the beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Add the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until you can smell its wonderful aroma. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to deepen its flavor.

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce

Pour in the beef broth, using your spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, the oregano, basil, bay leaf, and the optional sugar.

Bring the sauce to a lively simmer, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour for a richer flavor. While the sauce simmers, cook your spaghetti in a large pot of salted water.

Remove the bay leaf before serving the sauce over the hot spaghetti, topped with Parmesan cheese.

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Recipe 2: Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole

This is the perfect make-ahead meal for a crowd or a potluck. It’s like a lasagna but with all the fun of spaghetti, layered with a savory meat sauce and plenty of gooey, melted cheese.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Ingredients

• Ground Beef: 1 lb.
• Spaghetti: 1 lb.
• Marinara Sauce: 1 (24 oz) jar, your favorite brand.
• Onion and Garlic: ½ chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves.
• Cream Cheese: 4 oz, softened.
• Sour Cream: ¼ cup.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 3 cups, divided.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup.

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Components

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Put a large pot of salted water on to boil and cook the spaghetti until it is al dente.

While the pasta cooks, make the meat sauce. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion.

Drain the fat, then add the garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the entire jar of marinara sauce and let it simmer. In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.

Step 2: Assemble and Bake

Once the spaghetti is cooked and drained, add it to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture and toss until the noodles are fully coated.

Spread half of this cheesy spaghetti mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti and meat sauce.

Top the entire casserole with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden.

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Recipe 3: One-Pan Cheesy Taco Spaghetti

This is a fun and incredibly fast weeknight dinner that combines two family favorites: tacos and spaghetti. It all comes together in one pan for the easiest cleanup ever.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Ingredients

• Ground Beef: 1 lb.
• Onion: 1, chopped.
• Taco Seasoning: 1 (1 oz) packet.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles: 1 (10 oz) can, like Ro-Tel.
• Beef Broth or Water: 3 cups.
• Spaghetti: 12 oz, broken in half.
• Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: 2 cups.
• Toppings: Sour cream, chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips.

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Add Flavor

In a large Dutch oven or a deep, wide skillet with a lid, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion over medium-high heat.

Once the beef is cooked, drain off all the excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning packet and cook for one minute, until the meat is fragrant and well-coated with the spices.

This step toasts the spices and deepens their flavor.

Step 2: Simmer the Spaghetti in One Pot

To the skillet with the beef, pour in the beef broth and the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained).

Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the liquid to a boil. Add the broken spaghetti noodles to the pot, submerging them into the liquid as best you can.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it’s melted and gooey. Serve topped with your favorite taco toppings.

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The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients

• Tomato Paste (Meat Sauce): This concentrated tomato product is a secret weapon for deep flavor. Cooking it for a minute after sautéing the aromatics caramelizes its sugars and adds a huge savory, umami punch to the final sauce.
• Cream Cheese (Baked Spaghetti): The layer of cream cheese-coated noodles is what makes this casserole so special. It adds a rich, tangy creaminess in the middle that is a wonderful surprise and keeps the pasta from drying out.
• Taco Seasoning & Ro-Tel (Taco Spaghetti): This powerful duo is a shortcut to big flavor. The taco seasoning provides all the classic chili, cumin, and garlic notes, while the canned tomatoes with green chiles adds a tangy, slightly spicy liquid that helps cook the pasta and flavor the entire dish.
• Ground Beef: The common thread in all these dishes. Using a lean ground beef (like 90/10) is a good choice for these spaghetti recipes with ground beef, as it provides a rich, beefy flavor without making the final dishes greasy.

Storage & Reheating Tips

• Storage: Let any leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is often best to store the pasta and sauce separately for the classic meat sauce recipe to prevent the pasta from getting mushy.
• Reheating: Reheat pasta sauces and one-pan dishes gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen them up as they warm. Casseroles can be reheated in an oven at 350°F (175°C).

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I make any of these recipes spicy?

Yes, absolutely. The easiest way to add a spicy kick to any of these recipes is to add ½ to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce as it simmers.

For the Taco Spaghetti, using a “hot” taco seasoning or adding a diced jalapeño with the onion will also add great heat.

Can I prepare these spaghetti recipes with ground beef ahead of time?

The classic meat sauce is perfect for making ahead and tastes even better the next day. The baked spaghetti can be fully assembled (but not baked), covered, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before you need to bake it.

You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

What is the best way to cook spaghetti so it doesn’t stick?

The key is to use a very large pot with plenty of water and to salt the water generously (it should taste like the sea).

Stir the pasta as soon as you add it to the boiling water and a few more times as it cooks to prevent the strands from sticking together.

Enjoy Your Comforting Spaghetti Dinner!

You now have three fantastic and reliable spaghetti recipes with ground beef that are perfect for a satisfying dinner.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Italian-inspired sauce, a cheesy baked casserole, or a fun one-pan meal, there’s a perfect option here for you and your family.

Enjoy!