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Spaghetti Bake Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

Spaghetti Bake is a comforting Italian-American casserole that layers tender pasta with rich ragù sauce and creamy béchamel, finished with a golden crust of melted cheese. This rustic dish transforms simple spaghetti into an elegant baked entrée that feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully. The combination of meat sauce, creamy layers, and crispy top makes it perfect for family dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 500g ground beef
• 150g ground pork
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 800ml crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 125ml whole milk
• 40g butter
• 30g all-purpose flour
• 100g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
• 150g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 60ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.

2. Add the ground beef and pork to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, add the bay leaves and oregano, then season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

4. While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (about 1 minute under package time). Drain well and set aside. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

5. Prepare the béchamel sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue cooking and stirring for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Remove from heat.

6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with the ragù sauce and 50g of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly.

7. Transfer half of the spaghetti mixture to a greased 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, spreading it in an even layer. Pour half of the béchamel sauce over the pasta layer and spread gently.

8. Add the remaining spaghetti mixture as the second layer, then top with the remaining béchamel sauce, spreading it to cover completely. Sprinkle the remaining 50g Parmigiano-Reggiano and the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

9. Bake in the preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly around the edges, and the top is lightly golden brown.

10. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly, making portioning easier and preventing the dish from falling apart.

Substitutions

• Use ground turkey or lamb instead of beef and pork for a leaner version
• Substitute ricotta mixed with egg for béchamel for a lighter, more authentic southern Italian style
• Use a gluten-free pasta and cornstarch-based roux for gluten-free preparation
• Replace dairy milk and butter with cashew cream and dairy-free butter for a vegan béchamel

Tips

• Undercook the pasta slightly as it continues to cook in the oven and absorbs liquid from the sauce
• Prepare the béchamel while the ragù simmers to save time; it can be made up to 2 hours ahead and reheated gently
• The bake can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated; add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold
• For extra flavor, brown the meat in batches without crowding the pan to develop better color and depth

Spaghetti Bake, or Pasta al Forno, is a beloved dish throughout Italy with regional variations. While not as ancient as fresh pasta traditions, it emerged in post-war Italy as a way to transform simple ingredients into an elegant, economical family meal that serves many people.

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