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Baked Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce (The Viral TikTok Casserole, Made From Scratch) Recipe

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3.8 from 22 reviews

This Baked Spaghetti with Alfredo Sauce is a comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole that combines creamy homemade Alfredo sauce with a rich meat and tomato sauce layered over tender spaghetti. Inspired by a viral TikTok recipe, it balances cheesy goodness and savory flavors for a delicious baked pasta dish made entirely from scratch.

Ingredients

Red Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup red wine or beef broth
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ⅔ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1½ (24-ounce jars) spaghetti sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Pasta

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon salt for water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water

Creamy Alfredo Layer

  • ½ cup butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1½ cups Parmesan, freshly grated
  • 1 ounce cream cheese (optional, but recommended)
  • Pinch nutmeg

Cheese Layer

  • 2 cups mozzarella, shredded (divided)
  • ½ cup provolone or fontina (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chopped onion and green bell pepper until softened. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown it thoroughly, then drain most of the grease while leaving a little for flavor. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes until it darkens and caramelizes. Pour in red wine or beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and spaghetti sauce. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Finish with sugar and balsamic vinegar to balance the flavors.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Toss the hot pasta with butter and the reserved pasta water to coat evenly and keep it moist.
  3. Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in heavy cream and milk, then simmer until the sauce slightly thickens. Reduce heat to low and add grated Parmesan a little at a time, stirring until completely smooth and melted. Stir in cream cheese if using, then season with a pinch of nutmeg and salt to taste.
  4. Combine Pasta and Alfredo: Pour the Alfredo sauce over the cooked spaghetti and toss gently until the pasta is fully coated. Fold in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to incorporate some cheesiness into the pasta layer.
  5. Assemble the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the Alfredo-coated spaghetti evenly in the bottom of the dish, then dollop or spoon the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the optional provolone or fontina cheeses evenly over the top to create a cheesy crust.
  6. Bake and Serve: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Optionally, broil for 2–3 minutes to achieve a deeper golden color. Remove from oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to set the layers.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or sausage for ground beef if preferred.
  • Using cream cheese in the Alfredo sauce adds extra creaminess but can be omitted.
  • Reserve some pasta water carefully—it helps sauce adhere better to the pasta.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but gives a beautiful golden crust.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated covered to keep moisture.

Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/baked-spaghetti-with-alfredo-sauce-the-viral-tiktok-casserole-made-from-scratch-recipe/