Italian-Style Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients

- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 pound turkey sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Meat Mixture
In a large skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, ground turkey, and turkey sausage. Cook for 8-10 minutes until evenly browned. Drain any excess fat.

4. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add chopped onions, minced garlic, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.

5. Add Remaining Vegetables
Add the sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, and grated carrots. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until vegetables are tender.

6. Combine Meats and Vegetables
Return the meat mixture to the skillet and mix well with the sautéed vegetables.

7. Add Sauces and Seasoning
Pour in the pasta sauce, marinara sauce, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir in the Italian seasoning, mixing thoroughly. Simmer for 10 minutes.

8. Assemble the Casserole
In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce mixture. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti noodles, followed by half of the meat and sauce mixture. Repeat layers, finishing with the remaining sauce.

9. Top with Cheese
Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.

10. Bake
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

11. Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Total Time

PT1H15M
1 hour 15 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Italian casserole, baked spaghetti, family dinner, pasta bake, Italian sausage recipe, ground turkey dish, oven-baked pasta, comfort food, hearty meal, easy dinner recipe

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

3,200 calories for the entire dish

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