Baked Spaghetti is one of my all-time favorite go-to meals, and it’s also one of my most popular recipes ever! Originally shared back in 2017, it definitely deserved a re-post, because this dish is a total winner. It’s super easy to make in large batches (hello, meal prep), plus it’s ridiculously delicious.
I love making this in huge batches for gifts or dropping it off to someone who could use a hug in the form of a freezer meal. I’ve even made it for Teacher Appreciation Week which was such a hit—because what’s a better gift than a night off from cooking? This recipe is perfect for stocking up your freezer or bringing to someone in need, since it can easily be frozen for later if your recipient is already stocked up on food.
Whether you’re prepping ahead or sharing the love with others, it’s guaranteed to make life a little easier (and tastier!).

A Few Baked Spaghetti Recipe Tips
- Butter Hack: If you forgot to pull your butter out of the fridge ahead of time, no worries! Simply set it on the stove top near the pasta noodles to slowly warm it up, and it’ll soften in no time.
- Pasta Sauce: Use your favorite pasta sauce—whether homemade or store-bought. The sauce is key to making this dish delicious, so go with what you love!
- Thin Layers: When layering the ricotta and sauce, make sure they’re thin. This helps avoid too much liquid in the pasta and keeps the texture just right.
- Stand Mixer Magic: Use your stand mixer to mix all the ingredients together! It’s way easier than stirring by hand, and the mixer attachment will break up the pasta into smaller pieces, making it easier to serve. Just be careful not to overmix, otherwise your noodles will be too small.
- Giftable Tip: When giving this dish to others, consider using disposable cake pans (8″ square or round) so the recipient doesn’t have to worry about returning a dish. One pan feeds 2-3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small kids—perfect for a quick, comforting meal!
- Freezing Tip: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months! Just make sure it’s wrapped tightly and ready to be baked or reheated whenever needed. Perfect for stocking the freezer or making ahead!
Why We Love This Meal
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time—perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- Freezer Friendly: It’s the ultimate meal prep dish. Make extra, freeze it, and you’ve got an easy dinner ready to go when you need it.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s for a family dinner or a get-together, baked spaghetti is loved by just about everyone. It’s cheesy, comforting, and full of flavor!
- Customizable: You can easily swap out the pasta sauce for homemade or store-bought, and mix in your favorite add-ins like veggies, meat, or extra cheese.
- Perfect for Gifting: Whether you’re sharing with a neighbor, friend, or family member, baked spaghetti makes an amazing, thoughtful dish to bring to others—especially if you use disposable pans!
- Leftover-Friendly: Baked spaghetti tastes just as good the next day (if there are any leftovers!). It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for easy lunches or dinners later in the week.
- Kid-Friendly: With its cheesy, comforting layers, it’s a hit with the little ones. Plus, it’s easy to serve and doesn’t make a mess!
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch, and you’ve got dinner covered for several nights. It’s one of those meals that gets better the next day, too.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: There’s something about a warm, cheesy casserole that just feels like a hug. It’s the ultimate comfort food to enjoy with family or friends.
- Affordable: You don’t have to break the bank to make this dish. It’s budget-friendly and feeds a crowd without costing a fortune.
Baked Spaghetti
An Easy Freezer Meal to Bring to Others
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz package spaghetti
- 1 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt and butter.
3. Add spaghetti noodles to egg mixture and mix well.
4. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a large greased baking dish.
5. Top with a very thin layer of ricotta cheese, sauce and mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat layers.
7. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
I use 8" round or square disposable cake pans when gifting this meal to others. This recipe makes two small pans, but I usually double or triple the recipe to make a lot at once.
Post to Read Next: Meal Train Ideas (25 Drop-Off Meals To Bring Someone in Need)
*Recipe originally published March 2017. Updated in February 2025 to add new photographs and a few gentle tweaks. Recipe remains the same.
Laken
Wednesday 15th of March 2023
This was great made fresh and cooked right away. I doubled the recipe and made 2, one for that day and one that I froze for later. The cooking from frozen directions were way off, after the first hour at 350 covered it was still basically a solid block of ice. I used a 9x9 pan so it was pretty thick. Maybe would be better in a bigger, thinner pan. If it's thick like mine was I would consider heating at 375 and for longer than an hour before uncovering.
Pam amburn
Thursday 28th of July 2022
Friends children are allergic to tomatoes. Wonder if Alfredo sauce would work with this instead of spaghetti sauce.
Tammy Brown
Friday 28th of May 2021
Just made this into 6 individual square servings. Found containers on Amazon. I'm planning to share with a few elderly neighbors. Thanks for sharing. Delicious and easy
Renee
Wednesday 6th of January 2021
Thanks for the recipe! I love pasta!! I'm taking care of my mom who is suffering from cancer. I'm trying to get some freezer meals cooked up to make things a little easier for both of us and this sounds great. I am wondering how long this keeps in the freezer.
How many single servings does this make? What size foil pan would I use? And how do the cooking times vary if at all? Sorry for the loaded questions. Just trying to figure things out. Please let me know. I look forward to your response.
Thank you
Renee
Tuesday 22nd of December 2020
I'm wanting to make this into individual frozen meals. Would the cooking time be the same? Or would it be adjusted? How many meals can I get out of one recipe?