Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Weeknight Idea
- The Magic of Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Nights
- Why One Pot Pasta Recipes Are a Game-Changer
- Creating Kid-Approved Meals They’ll Actually Eat
- The Ultimate Potluck & Freezer-Friendly Hero
- Tips for Making This Recipe Your Own
- The Recipe: Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake
- Notes & Tips for Success
Key Takeaways
- This Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake is the ultimate fusion of two family favorites: spaghetti and pizza, creating a comforting, cheesy casserole.
- It’s a prime example of easy recipes with ground beef that come together quickly using simple ingredients, most of which you likely have on hand.
- As a true one pot pasta recipe (minus boiling the pasta), it minimizes cleanup, making it a perfect quick and easy dinner recipe for hectic weeknights.
- The dish is highly customizable with your favorite pizza toppings and stores beautifully, making it great for leftovers, meal prep, or taking to a potluck.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Weeknight Idea
Hey there, I’m Patricia from Patricia Universe, and if you’re on the hunt for a dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss, you’ve just found it. We all have those nights where the question “What’s for dinner?” feels like a monumental task. This Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake is my delicious answer to that nightly dilemma. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with an irresistible, cheesy aroma and brings everyone to the table without a second call. Finding reliable easy recipes with ground beef can be a challenge, but this one is a keeper. It transforms ordinary spaghetti and classic pizza toppings into a spectacular, shareable bake that feels special but is incredibly straightforward to make. It’s the ultimate comfort food mash-up that solves your dinner problems.
The Magic of Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Nights
Let’s talk about the star of so many pantries: ground beef. It’s affordable, versatile, and cooks up quickly, which is why it’s the foundation for countless family meals. A great ground beef recipe for dinner is worth its weight in gold, and this bake is exactly that. It takes that familiar, savory flavor of browned beef and weaves it into a rich marinara sauce, creating a hearty base that’s far more exciting than plain spaghetti. The beauty of using ground beef here is its ability to soak up all the Italian herbs and garlic, ensuring every bite of pasta is packed with flavor. It’s a foolproof way to create a satisfying and protein-packed meal that will keep everyone full and happy.
Why One Pot Pasta Recipes Are a Game-Changer
If you dread the pile of dishes after cooking, you’ll appreciate the genius of this method. While we boil the pasta separately (for perfect al dente texture), the entire sauce comes together in one large skillet or Dutch oven. After browning the beef and building the sauce right in that same pan, you simply toss in the cooked spaghetti. This means the pasta gets perfectly coated and infused with flavor before it even hits the baking dish. This streamlined approach is what makes one pot pasta recipes (or nearly one-pot!) so beloved—they simplify the process and cut down on cleanup dramatically. It’s practical cooking that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of taste, perfect for turning a busy weeknight into a cozy, homemade dinner occasion.
Creating Kid-Approved Meals They’ll Actually Eat
Getting a unanimous “yum” from the whole family can sometimes feel like a victory. This bake is designed to win that battle. By combining two universally loved foods—spaghetti and pizza—into one dish, you’re almost guaranteed a hit. The familiar elements are there: the noodles, the tomato sauce, the gooey cheese, and the fun of pepperoni. It’s a fantastic pasta easy recipe to get kids excited about dinner. They can even help with the assembly, sprinkling on the cheese or arranging the toppings. Serving it as a baked casserole also makes it easy to portion and serve, turning dinnertime into a stress-free, enjoyable experience for everyone at the table.
The Ultimate Potluck & Freezer-Friendly Hero
This Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake isn’t just a weeknight warrior; it’s also your go-to for feeding a crowd. It travels beautifully, reheats like a dream, and is always a conversation starter. Whether you’re headed to a potluck, need a dish for a new neighbor, or are stocking your freezer for future busy days, this casserole is your answer. You can assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake, or bake it fully, let it cool, and freeze it in portions. Having a ready-made, delicious quick and easy dinner recipe waiting for you is the best kind of kitchen preparedness. It ensures a homemade meal is always within reach, no matter how chaotic life gets.
Tips for Making This Recipe Your Own
The recipe I’m sharing is a fantastic blueprint, but the real fun begins when you make it your own. Think of it as a “create-your-own-pizza” in casserole form. Not a fan of pepperoni? Swap in cooked Italian sausage crumbles or diced ham. Want more veggies? Stir a handful of spinach into the hot sauce until wilted, or add sautéed mushrooms and onions. For a spicy kick, use hot Italian sausage or add more red pepper flakes. This adaptability is what makes searching for the best easy recipes with ground beef so rewarding—you find a core formula that can evolve with your tastes and what’s in your fridge. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your family’s perfect combination.
Loaded Pizza Spaghetti Bake: An Easy One-Pot Ground Beef Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
For the Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Sauce
- While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Assemble the Bake
- Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top. Arrange the mini pepperoni, black olives, and chopped bell pepper over the cheese. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Bake and Serve
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
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