This recipe for Grown-Up Spaghetti O’s will transport you straight back to your childhood! This traditional dish is elevated with the flavors of al dente pasta, tender ground beef, melty cheese, and crunchy breadcrumbs, so it actually tastes better than how you remember Spaghetti O’s. Make this for rave reviews at any gathering, or for a hearty Italian weeknight dinner. Grown-Up Spaghetti O’s are so delicious, they’re sure to become a staple comfort food in your home!
Ingredients
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 1/2 cups anelletti pasta
- 1 1/2 cups Parmesan Romano, grated and divided
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1-2 tablespoons bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch or 9×9-inch pan.
Step 3 –In a medium-size skillet or frying pan, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil.
Step 4 –Add the ground beef and cook until browned throughout, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, stirring to mix.
Step 6 –Reduce the heat to a simmer.
Step 7 –Bring a medium-size pot of water to a boil.
Step 8 –Add the anelletti pasta to the boiling water but only partially cook them according to package directions, to just shy of al dente.
Step 9 –Drain the anelletti pasta in a colander.
Step 10 –In your skillet or frying pan, mix the pasta in with the ragu sauce.
Step 11 –Add the grated mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of the Parmesan Romano.
Step 12 –Pour the pasta/ragu mix into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly throughout the pan.
Step 13 –Sprinkle the bread crumbs and the rest of the parmesan cheese on top of the pasta.
Step 14 –Bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
Step 15 –Let the pasta stand in the pan for 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Serve!
