A comforting baked pasta dish layered with a rich meat sauce, melty cheese, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep.

12 oz spaghetti

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried basil

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain.
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook onion until soft, add garlic, then brown the ground meat.
Add marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Mix sauce with cooked spaghetti. Stir in ricotta if using.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer half of the pasta mixture in the dish. Add half the cheeses. Repeat layers.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes more.
Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil.