Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients
400 g spaghetti
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
500 g ground beef (or half beef & half sausage)
2 cups marinara sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & black pepper, to taste
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Layer
2 cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan
Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti
Boil in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the sauce
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Sauté onion until soft, add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef, cook until browned.
Stir in marinara, tomato paste, seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Assemble
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Toss spaghetti with most of the sauce.
Transfer to a greased baking dish.
Spoon remaining sauce on top.
Cheese it up
Sprinkle mozzarella evenly, then Parmesan.
Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Optional: broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning.
Finish
Rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley or basil, and serve.
Tips
Add ricotta or cream cheese between layers for extra creaminess
Great with garlic bread and a simple salad
Leftovers reheat beautifully