There’s no need to pre-cook the pasta in this Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe. Just toss it with the sauce and seasonings, cover it with chicken broth, and bake. An hour later you have perfectly cooked, cheesy spaghetti and only one dish to clean!

Serve it with some garlic bread and a simple side salad for a complete meal your family will request over and over again.

Easy Baked Spaghetti Recipe

If you’re looking for a super easy, mostly hands-off weeknight dinner, you have to try this Baked Spaghetti recipe. Besides stirring the mixture twice during the 1-hour bake time, all you need to do is combine the ingredients in the baking dish and leave it be. It’s that easy!

While many spaghetti bake recipes call for cooking the spaghetti ahead of time, I opted to increase the bake time and add lots of liquid (chicken broth) so that the dry spaghetti noodles actually cook in the oven, while absorbing all the great broth flavor. It cuts down on the prep time and the end result is just as good, so it’s a win-win for me. Not to mention fewer dirty dishes to clean!

Ingredients Needed

You’ll need just a handful of ingredients and a few spices to whip up this easy, cheesy baked spaghetti. (Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Spaghetti noodles – These are added to the casserole dish uncooked.
• Marinara sauce – Grab some at the store or make a homemade marinara sauce.
• Onion & Garlic – For fantastic aromatics and flavor.
• Spices – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper flavor the sauce.
• Chicken broth – The liquid cooks the pasta during the baking process, not only adding flavor but eliminating the need to pre-cook the pasta. Be sure to use the recommended amount and that the pasta is completely covered.
• Mozzarella cheese – Add to the top of this spaghetti bake to ensure cheesy deliciousness in every bite.
• Parsley – Optional garnish.

Do You Need Special Noodles for Baked Spaghetti?

No special noodles are needed for this spaghetti bake. Just any brand of regular spaghetti noodles will do. The extra broth cooks the noodles in the pan during baking.

Can I Use My Favorite Spaghetti Sauce?

Yes, absolutely. I chose to use marinara because I added some seasonings but really, any pasta sauce will work here. If you like a meat sauce, try our homemade spaghetti sauce – it’s amazing. The important part is adding enough broth so that the spaghetti cooks during baking.

How to Make Baked Spaghetti

This pasta bake is beyond easy. Just combine the ingredients in a baking dish and bake. There’s only one pot to clean! Spaghetti has never been so easy.
(Scroll down to the printable recipe card for details and measurements, and don’t miss the video below.)

1. Combine the ingredients. Place the dry spaghetti in a baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with marinara, onion, garlic, seasonings, and olive oil. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Mix well to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
2. Bake. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Give everything a good stir and then bake for another 20 minutes, still covered with foil. Remove the foil, stir one final time, top with mozzarella, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
3. Enjoy. Garnish with parsley and dig in.

Video: How to Make Spaghetti Bake

Serving Suggestions

This spaghetti bake can be served with the same sides as a traditional spaghetti dinner. My go-to’s are some freshly baked homemade garlic bread and a nice side salad (or caesar salad). Some crusty bread will do in a pinch, if you don’t feel like making garlic bread.

How to Store Leftovers

• Storing leftovers. Leftover baked spaghetti can be stored, covered in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or the entire pan, covered, in the oven. You may want to add a splash of broth to prevent it from drying out.
• To freeze. Allow it to cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat the entire casserole or individual portions. Or remove plastic wrap and bake directly from frozen, adding on more time in the oven until warmed through.

More Spaghetti Recipes:

• Cowboy Spaghetti
• Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
• Instant Pot Spaghetti
• Spaghetti Carbonara
• THE BEST Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!