Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with vegetable oil spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti about 2 minutes shy of the package directions so it stays slightly firm. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until fully browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir the marinara sauce into the beef mixture and simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through and well combined.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with the salt, eggs, and melted butter until the noodles are evenly coated.
- Spread half of the spaghetti evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer with half of the cottage cheese, half of the meat sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top, followed by the rest of the cottage cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Difficulty: Easy
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Replace cottage cheese with ricotta cheese for a more traditional baked pasta texture.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to the meat sauce for extra veggies.
- Use a blend of mozzarella and cheddar or provolone for a richer cheese topping.
Serving Suggestions
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