Description

This TikTok-inspired spaghetti casserole combines the richness of a creamy Alfredo sauce with a hearty, flavorful red meat sauce, layered with mozzarella and baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting and crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish that offers the perfect balance of cheesy, savory, and garlicky flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Red Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

Pasta

16 ounces spaghetti

Alfredo Sauce

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese

Garnish

Fresh parsley (to sprinkle)
Dried Italian seasoning (to sprinkle)

Instructions

Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it thoroughly over medium heat, breaking it apart until no pink remains. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
Make Red Sauce: Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and the spaghetti sauce into the cooked beef mixture. Set this red sauce aside to keep warm.
Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water (using 1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté gently for about 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of flour and stir constantly for another minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
Add Cream & Cheese: Remove the pan from heat and slowly whisk in 2 cups of heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Return the pan to low heat and stir in the parmesan cheese, cooking gently until the cheese melts completely.
Toss Pasta in Alfredo: Add the drained spaghetti to the Alfredo sauce and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
Assemble Casserole: Spread the Alfredo-coated spaghetti evenly into the prepared baking dish. Carefully spoon the red sauce evenly over the top without mixing the layers.
Add Cheese & Bake: Sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the red sauce layer. Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
Finish & Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes after baking. Sprinkle fresh parsley and a pinch of dried Italian seasoning on top before serving for added flavor and color.

Notes

For best results, do not mix the red sauce into the Alfredo-coated pasta after layering; keeping the layers separate creates a delicious contrast.
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different protein option.
Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach into the red sauce for extra nutrition.
If preferred, use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: TikTok spaghetti, baked spaghetti, spaghetti casserole, creamy Alfredo, meat sauce, cheesy pasta bake