Baked spaghetti and meatball casserole is a fun twist on that classic favorite dinner. It is easier to make than lasagna and more fun too!

There is something so fun about long noodles covered in sauce and cheese. Plus there is a satisfaction that comes with taking a bite out of a meatball.

But I'll let you in on a little secret. (Shhhhh!) As a parent to a toddler, spaghetti and meatballs are not quite as much fun.
Don't get me wrong, it is fun to watch the little guy enjoy himself with a big plate of 'sketti. But as he's slurping the noodles, it is hard not to notice the specks of sauce flying.
Then there's the meatballs. The glorious meatballs. They are unlikely to actually go rolling away because of a sneeze, but the chances of one hitting the floor don't seem so astronomical.

Add to that the fact that we have light colored carpet on our dining room floor. Don't ever put light colored carpets on a dining room floor!
But now he is a big boy and eats at the big table. Really, he does a pretty good job for the most part. There are likely to be almost as many splatters and crumbs around my husband's spot as Little Dude's.
BUUUT, it still makes me nervous. We keep saying we are going to replace the carpet, but it seems a shame to rip it up when it's in pretty good shape.
Plus there's the whole contractor's wife thing. Actually Matt is pretty good about stopping to do a project at the house when I ask him to.
I just need to tell him what the project is, pick out the materials and design and then we sync our calendars to find a block of time that will work. We both mark it in and it gets done.

But it is really hard to ask him to block of time where he could be doing paying jobs to replace flooring that isn't bad. So one of these days a glass of red wine.... or a meatball will end up on the floor. In the meantime we just try our best not to let that happen!
So, I made spaghetti and meatballs in casserole form. It's easier to serve and fun to eat. Plus there is just something about baked pasta (and all of the accompanying cheese!) that makes it that much better.

It's a new twist on one of my childhood favorites and is sure to be one of Jax's childhood favorites! What are you favorite foods from childhood?
2019 update:
It turns out, all of these years later I still have carpet in the dining room. No meatball ever hit the floor and the area around Little Dude's seat is still no worse that my husband's spot! ;-)
I originally made this recipe with ricotta cheese, but have since made it with cottage cheese quite a few times too. Both work great, so use whatever you have on hand or whichever you prefer in lasagna.
If you are a fan of spaghetti and meatballs, you may want to try creamy spaghetti and meatballs in the instant pot too. It is a quick and easy way to whip up dinner!
Yield: Generously serves 8

Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole
Isn't baked pasta and all if it's melty and browned cheese the best? This is a fun twist on a family favorite dinner!
prep time: 15 MINScook time: 45 MINStotal time: 60 mins
ingredients:
- 1 recipe Marlene's Meatballs (or 1 pound of your favorite meatball recipe)
- 13-16 oz box of spaghetti
- 24 ounce container of cottage cheese or 16 ounce container of ricotta
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
instructions
- Make your meatball recipe into small, bite sized meatballs and bake according to your recipe. Set aside until ready to use.
- Cook your spaghetti to al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Once your spaghetti is cool enough to handle, stir together the ricotta, garlic, eggs and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Toss the noodles in this mixture and press into a well greased 9x13" pan.
- Place meatballs on top of spaghetti and distribute sauce over the casserole.
- Cover and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Remove cover and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned to your liking.
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes, then cut and serve.
Created using The Recipes Generator

My family would love this!! Adding gooey mozzarella to the usual spaghetti and meatballs can only make it better!
ReplyDeleteGooey mozzarella makes most things better! I think that is why I love baked pastas so much. Thanks, Liz!
DeleteThis is such a creative way to change up the usual pasta and meatballs! I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteIt was a hit at our house! Any time you can add two extra cheeses to a dish, it is sure to get thumbs up from my boys. Thanks, Tammi!
DeleteI can see this being such a comforting treat!
ReplyDeleteIt is, hearty and delicious! Thanks, Caroline!
DeleteThis is 100% a win for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah!
DeleteWhat a great way to enjoy spaghetti and meatballs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy!
DeleteThis looks delicious and will be a huge hit in my house this winter! Always looking for way to change up spaghetti and meatballs too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a fun way to make a classic new again!
DeleteWho could resist some of this comfort food goodness?? Looks like a delicious recipe that any family...including mine would love! Delish!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin! It is definitely a family friendly dinner and a great make-ahead too!
DeleteOh. My. Gosh. Yes! We're renting the place we're in now and it has light carpet. EVERYWHERE. (Except bathrooms and kitchen of course) We have two little ones. I keep towels down under their chairs. Once all those college move in sales happen I'll be looking to invest in an area rug or two.
ReplyDeleteI like your casserole form of spaghetti and meatballs. It's perfect for serving to a crowd, too.
It's the worst isn't it? When we moved in, I didn't think much about it because I was pregnant. Now with a toddler I am acutely aware of the carpet! We just bought some canvas drop cloths from the hardware store and used them for the longest time. They were cheap and machine washable. Now that he's at the big table we take our chances and hope for the best!
DeleteWhat a great casserole! I love the "squares ". Makes it easy to serve!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Michelle
It is a lot easier to serve too, you're right! Thank you!
DeleteSpaghetti and meatballs is one of my childhood favorites. I can understand why Jax's absolutely loves it. It's a lot of fun to eat and play with. Especially when you know that Mom's a little apprehensive about the carpet! My mom used to make a baked spaghetti for us and we loved it. It was actually a baked spaghetti Pizza. It had spaghetti noodles and sauce and beef on the bottom and then it was topped off with pepperoni, pizza sauce and mozzarella. I make it for our family too and it is one of our favorites. It has such a different texture when it's baked, doesn't it? Especially when the cheese is nice and toasty on top. Yum.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, how fun! I love the pizza idea. I may have to steal that one! There just is something about baked pasta that takes it to the next level, the melty cheese certainly doesn't hurt.
DeleteThis is a dish that my grandson would just love to eat every day. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry! It is a fun one, that is for sure. I hope you both enjoy it!
DeleteMy mouth won't stop watering!! I've got to give this a try! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I hope you love it!
DeleteWhat a great casserole for Sunday Supper, we would really enjoy this recipe. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today. Have a great day and come back soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
It's a nice hearty family meal. Thanks, Miz Helen!
DeleteGoodness, you have me going down memory lane with "on top of spaghetti"! Right back to my grandmothers house! And that has me remembering her best baked chicken dish. Have to see if I can remember how she did that.
ReplyDeleteThis dish looks great! Meatballs are the best way to enjoy spaghetti!
Isn't it funny how a line of a song like that can bring you right back to childhood? Now I want to know what was in her chicken dish! Thanks!
DeleteWhat do you think about adding mushrooms, cut-up spicy sausage links, and zucchini with the meatballs on top? That's how I like my traditional spaghetti, so it might work in this baked variation?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious! I will have to make it that way next time!
DeleteSo I'm wondering if the carpet is still surviving. The spaghetti and meatball casserole sounds fabulous. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteIt is still hanging in there, surprisingly enough! Thanks!
DeleteSuch a great idea and may get added to the list for meals next week! Have a wonderful Wednesday xo
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteYou just can't beat spaghetti and meatballs. This looks perfect, Carlee!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun way to switch up the favorite! Thank you!
DeleteThis looks delicious and would certainly be a big hit at my house. Incidentally... I'm starving right now. Can I have a plate of this delicious casserole? :)
ReplyDeleteOf course, come on over! Thank you <3
DeleteThis sounds so good Carlee! Who wouldn't love this casserole?!
ReplyDeleteI haven't met anyone yet! Thanks, Kitty!
DeleteThis is awesome! I am so happy to find recipes that my little grand daughter will eat, she is so picky. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteShe's going to love it! Thank you!
DeleteQuestion! Do you cook freshly made meatballs before putting into casserole?!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly can! I just used frozen meatballs to make it quick and easy!
Delete