This Southern style Baked Pizza Spaghetti is one of my family's favorite spaghetti meals. It features spaghetti cooked to al dente covered with a meaty spaghetti sauce that includes sliced mushrooms, diced onion and bell pepper making it truly supreme. It's layered with lots of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, then baked until bubbly and golden.
Easy Baked Pizza Spaghetti Recipe
When it comes to dining out, spaghetti isn't likely to be a dish I would order in a restaurant. Why? Well, it's such an inexpensive dish to make and so easily personalized to your taste at home. That alone puts it at the top of the list of our favorite homestyle Italian entrees. A pound of spaghetti is super inexpensive to buy and it can be adapted in so many ways perfect for filling up hungry tummies in a snap.
How to Make the Best Southern Baked Pizza Spaghetti Recipe
Why is this called Baked Pizza Spaghetti? Some of the ingredients such as pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms and onions are popular pizza toppings and they were the inspiration for this baked spaghetti recipe.
- Ingredients you'll need to make Baked Spaghetti recipe: Thin spaghetti, onion, diced green bell peppers, sliced baby portabella mushrooms, olive oil, lean ground beef, Italian sausage, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes, your favorite brand of marinara sauce, diced canned tomatoes, tomato paste, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
- Make a special effort not to overcook the spaghetti initially and you'll have no worries at all. If you cook the spaghetti just until slightly tender it will finish cooking in the spaghetti sauce while baking and not become mushy.
- Can I assemble this baked spaghetti recipe in advance? Yes, you absolutely can! Italian flavors tend to become even more robust when they have time to marry. Simply assemble per the recipe then cool and cover with plastic wrap. Pop it into the refrigerator then allow it about 15 minutes on the counter before baking.
- Can I make the spaghetti sauce and chill or freeze it? You can easily make this spaghetti sauce recipe up to two days in advance and have it ready to assemble before baking. You can freeze it several weeks in advance for busy day meals.
- If you prefer, you can make this baked spaghetti recipe using all ground beef or all Italian sausage in the same amount. Simply replace half of each.
- Can I use spaghetti squash in place of classic spaghetti noodles? When doing so, make a special effort to slightly undercook the squash and remove as much moisture as possible before assembling. the baked spaghetti.
- Store leftover baked pizza spaghetti in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat baked spaghetti in the microwave in single serving portions to prevent drying out.
- You may also like my recipe for Slow Cooked Spaghetti Sauce simmering all day and the house smells heavenly when you come in from a hectic day.
More Southern Style Spaghetti Recipes to Make
Spaghetti is affordable and readily available at the grocery store. I often find it on sale which tends to always make me happy and keep my grocery budget on track. For more easy spaghetti inspiration check out my popular recipes for:
- Spaghetti Carbonara that uses ham in place of bacon.
- Fiery Cowboy Spaghetti baked in a cast iron skillet.
- This recipe for Spaghetti Pie always brings the family to the table.
- Dishes like my Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is a nice way to add a chicken twist.
- Chili Spaghetti shakes-up the spaghetti menu with a few adaptations.
- For a lighter variation try this Lemon Spaghetti recipe from Real Housemoms.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Baked Pizza Spaghetti
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 582kcal
Ingredients
- 10 oz thin spaghetti cooked to al dente per package instructions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 small green pepper sliced
- 1 8 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ lb lean ground beef
- ½ lb sweet or spicy Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 14.5 oz can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 24 oz jar prepared marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
- 50 slices pepperoni divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ⅔ cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water, per the instructions on the box, until al dente. Do not overcook. Drain well.
- On the stove top, in a medium sized pot, saute the diced onion, sliced green pepper and mushrooms in a couple of drizzles of olive oil or 2 minutes or until the onions turn translucent. Season with salt and black pepper, add garlic. Saute 1 minute..
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pan, add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
- Add tomatoes, tomato pasta, marinara sauce and 2 tablespoon parsley. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add 25 slices pepperoni at the end of cooking, mix well.
- To assemble: Ladle ⅓ of the sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and cover with ½ of the cooked spaghetti.
- Ladle another ⅓ of pasta sauce over the spaghetti, then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat, with the remaining spaghetti, then the final ⅓ of pasta sauce. Arrange 25 pepperoni slices over sauce.
- Sprinkle the top with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Cut and serve immediately.
Notes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce can be added to cooked beef for extra flavor. This is completely optional.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1740mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 764IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 282mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Jackie
Hi
I see you used worchesire sauce in video, but not listed in the ingredient's list.
Melissa
It's optional. I always use it but, others may prefer not to. It's up to you.
Jamie
What r some ideas to add in since I am allergic to onion and nobody likes pepers
Melissa
You can leave both of those out, no problem.
Lise
I make one similar to this as u can use the ingredients you love in your favorite pizza. Comes out great every time
Melissa
So true, your favorite toppings can be added.
lori
OMG, This looks good enough to roll around on the floor in. Can't wait to make it!
Melissa
lol Love it, thanks!
Melissa
Hi Carolyn, thanks so much, I love having you visit. Bon appetit!
Carolyn
Love you page I check it everyday for something new. I will be making this tonight.
Melissa
Hi Tiffany! If you don't care for those two ingredients then of course, adjust to your taste. It will still be delicious. Enjoy, Melissa
Tiffany
Do you HAVE to use mushrooms and onions?? Looks amazing but I hate those!! Lol
Melissa
Hi Brittany, actually that's a great question! No, I use the tomatoes juice and all 🙂 I hope you enjoy ~ Melissa
Brittany Ocheltree
Melissa, Thanks for sharing cannot wait to make this tonight!! One Question.. You don't drain the Diced tomatoes Right?? Thank you. Rookie Question I know but I wanted to make sure. Thanks again!!
Melissa
Hi Don, sure hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by ~ Melissa
Melissa
Hello, yes, there's a green print button in the left hand column. Enjoy 🙂
Don Wilson
I will definately be trying this one soon ! THX !!
Anonymous
Looks wonderful I was wondering if there was a place to print recipe? Or did i over look it?
Melissa
Hi Kay! Wonderful! I hope your family likes it!
Kay and Mike Asher
I will be making this for one of our family gatherings soon! I can almost taste it now! Thanks for a very interesting recipe. Always enjoy trying something new. I think our daughter and daughter in laws will really like this, too.