Viral TikTok Spaghetti ️

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef (frozen or fresh, thawed if frozen)
• 1 medium Onion (diced)
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 0.5 tsp Crushed Red Chili Flakes (optional for heat)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground if possible)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for sautéing)
• 2 cups Jarred Pasta Sauce (any marinara or alfredo sauce you like)
• 12 oz Spaghetti (dry weight, cooked al dente)
• 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (about 200 g, loosely packed)
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (for finishing garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   If the ground beef is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Dice the onion and measure out all spices, oil, sauce, and cheese.

   Time: PT5M

2. Cook Spaghetti

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti, and cook until al dente (about 8‑10 minutes). Drain in a colander and set aside.

   Time: PT12M

   Temperature: 100°C

3. Brown Ground Beef

   Heat the skillet over medium‑high heat, add olive oil, then the diced onion. Sauté 2 minutes until translucent. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no pink remains. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.

   Time: PT5M

4. Add Pasta Sauce

   Pour the jarred pasta sauce into the skillet with the browned beef, stir, and let it simmer for 2‑3 minutes to meld flavors.

   Time: PT3M

5. Assemble Casserole

   Spread the cooked spaghetti evenly in the baking dish. Spoon the meat sauce over the pasta, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.

   Time: PT5M

6. Bake

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 350°F

7. Finish and Serve

   Remove from oven, sprinkle Italian seasoning over the hot cheese, let rest 5 minutes, then serve.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

690

Protein

30 g

Carbohydrates

70 g

Fat

30 g

Fiber

3 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey, Ground pork
• Instead of Onion: Shallot, Leeks
• Instead of Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic
• Instead of Onion Powder: Additional fresh onion
• Instead of Dried Oregano: Italian seasoning
• Instead of Crushed Red Chili Flakes: Cayenne pepper, Hot sauce
• Instead of Salt: Sea salt, Kosher salt
• Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
• Instead of Olive Oil: Vegetable oil, Canola oil
• Instead of Jarred Pasta Sauce: Homemade tomato sauce, Marinara sauce
• Instead of Spaghetti: Penne, Fusilli
• Instead of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded provolone, Shredded cheddar
• Instead of Italian Seasoning: Extra dried oregano

Equipment Needed

• Large Pot
• Colander
• Large Skillet
• Baking Dish
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Oven
• Oven Mitts

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Brown the ground beef until fully cooked with no pink.
• Cook spaghetti al dente so it doesn’t become mushy after baking.
• Bake until the mozzarella is bubbly and lightly golden.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier melt.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for extra heat.
• Toast the shredded mozzarella lightly in a dry pan before topping for a nuttier flavor.
• A splash of red wine in the meat sauce adds depth.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze unopened portions in a freezer‑safe container for up to 2 months.

Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature; refrigerate within 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prepare the meat sauce and cooked spaghetti up to step 4; store each in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Assemble the casserole (without baking) and freeze; bake directly from frozen, adding 5‑7 extra minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions