Description

This School Cafeteria Spaghetti recipe brings back nostalgic flavors with savory ground beef, tangy spaghetti sauce, and melted Cheddar cheese in a comforting, cheesy bake.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

½ green bell pepper, chopped

1 envelope dry Italian salad dressing mix (such as Good Seasons®)

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 (26-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

1 (16-ounce) package spaghetti

4 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Prepare the beef mixture: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, sauté until soft (5-7 minutes).
Mix in the Italian dressing mix and ground beef, cooking until browned and crumbly (5-7 minutes). Drain fat, then stir in spaghetti sauce. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
Cook the spaghetti: Boil salted water, cook spaghetti until tender (about 12 minutes). Drain the spaghetti.
Assemble the casserole: Add the cooked spaghetti to the beef mixture and stir. Transfer to the casserole dish and top with grated Cheddar cheese.
Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.
Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.

Try using different pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or macaroni.

Add crushed red pepper flakes or jalapeños to make it spicier.

Feel free to skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.

Pair with a side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 55mg