TikTok Spaghetti

TikTok Spaghetti is an internet sensation, and once you try it, you’ll see why. Imagine creamy alfredo pasta topped with hearty meat sauce, then smothered in mozzarella and baked to gooey perfection. Oh my!

There are a lot of crazy recipes that go viral. But like Gigi Hadid Pasta, this one is worth the hype!

If you’ve been on the lookout for some new spaghetti recipes, your search has ended. This decadent baked spaghetti combines two great pasta dishes into a mashup that’s almost too good to be true.

What is TikTok Spaghetti?

I’m really into this TikTok Spaghetti trend – it’s all over social media! It’s such a fun and unique way to enjoy spaghetti.

It combines two distinct Italian dishes, pasta alfredo and meat sauce, into a rich and hearty casserole. This viral delight is a fusion of traditional Italian flavors and American comfort food.

Here’s how I make it: first, I cook some spaghetti and mix it with alfredo sauce. Then, I layer it with meat sauce and top it all off with lots of mozzarella cheese. After that, I bake it until it’s golden and bubbly. It’s such a cozy and satisfying dish, and it’s great for enjoying with loved ones.

Ingredient Notes

For exact measurement of all ingredients, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Here are some notes for select ingredients:

• Ground beef – I use 90/10 lean for this recipe. If you use something fattier, you may wish to skim some of the grease off the top of the sauce.
• Marinara sauce – I love good quality brands such as Botticelli or Rao’s. Or better yet, follow our homemade San Marzano Sauce recipe.
• Italian seasoning – In its absence, I use 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil and parsley.
• Heavy cream – To make a lighter Alfredo sauce, I make a roux by mixing 2 tablespoons of flour into the butter and replacing the heavy cream with whole milk.
• Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese – I always use freshly shredded for best results. For different flavors, you can swap the parmesan for asiago or romano.

How to Make TikTok Spaghetti

This dish comes down to five basic steps. Here is my recommended order:
1. Cook the meat sauce: I start by sautéing onions and peppers until they start to soften up. Then, I add the garlic and ground beef, cooking everything until the beef turns brown. After that, I stir in some spaghetti sauce, along with crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning for extra flavor.

2. Boil pasta: In salted water, I cook pasta according to directions to al dente, then drain in a colander.

3. Make alfredo sauce: While the pasta is cooking, I melt some butter in a large oven-safe skillet. If you don’t have one, don’t worry—you can always transfer everything to a casserole dish later on. Then, I add some garlic and let it cook for a minute or two before pouring in the heavy cream. Once it’s simmering, I stir in some Parmesan cheese until it’s all nice and creamy.

4. Assemble: I mix the cooked pasta into the alfredo sauce until it’s all coated nicely. Then, I layer the meat sauce on top of the alfredo pasta. Finally, I sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over everything, creating delicious layers of flavors and textures.

5. Bake: I cover the dish loosely with foil to keep everything moist. Then, I pop it into a preheated oven set to 375 degrees and bake it for 25 minutes. After that, I remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 5 minutes to get that golden cheesy crust on top. Once it’s done, I take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Variations

• Sausage Boost: Some days I swap the ground beef for crumbled Italian sausage.
• Spicy Kick: To give it more heat, I add more crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce, or swap the marinara for Arrabbiata.
• Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef with a mix of veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant for a hearty vegetarian option.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace the spaghetti with spiralized vegetables like zucchini or squash for a lower-carb, keto-friendly alternative.
• Add-In Extras: Sometimes I add olives, capers, or sun-dried tomatoes to the meat sauce for additional flavor profiles, or incorporate spinach or kale into the Alfredo sauce for a nutritious boost.
• Go Gourmet: Instead of a quick and simple meat sauce, I make a homemade Bolognese or Lamb Ragu. This is also a great way to use up leftovers of either if you made a big batch.
• Take the Lazy Route: Sometimes I swap the homemade alfredo for jarred. One 24oz jar is just about the right amount.

Serving Suggestions

With all that’s going on in this dish, you really don’t need much else to go with it. It’s very rich and hearty, so if you do want something on the side, we recommends a simple green salad.

And a glass of wine never hurts!

Alpana’s Tips

• Perfect Pasta: I cook the spaghetti only to al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven. No one wants mushy pasta.
• Build the Flavor: If time allows, I let the meat sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
• Cheese Choices: I always use freshly grated cheese, as it melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents.
• Prevent Drying Out: Cover the dish with foil for the majority of the baking time to keep the moisture in, then remove the foil towards the end to allow the cheese to get golden and bubbly.
• Resting Time: I allow the baked spaghetti to rest for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to cut and serve.
• Make Ahead: This dish can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going straight from the fridge to the oven.
• Don’t Count Calories!

Try this ultimate comfort food baked spaghetti, and find out why it’s become a viral trend all over the internet. I bet that once you try it, it’s going on your regular menu!

Pin or bookmark this great recipe so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new recipes for you.

TikTok Spaghetti, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!

More great baked pasta dishes:
Tortellini al Forno
Johnny Marzetti
Ham and Pasta Casserole
Cheesy Tortellini Bake

TikTok Spaghetti

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

TikTok Spaghetti is a viral hit recipe where creamy, cheesy alfredo pasta meets tomato meat sauce in a casserole that's hard to resist!

Print

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• ½ green bell pepper, diced
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef (see note 1)
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 24oz marinara sauce
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper

Alfredo Sauce

• ½ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste

Spaghetti

• 12oz dried spaghetti
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Meat Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell peppers and sauté until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
2. Add ground beef and garlic. Break up ground beef with a spoon and cook until it is no longer pink.
3. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper. Stir until well combined.

Alfredo Sauce

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in an oven-safe skillet, then add the garlic. Cook for a minute or two, till the garlic becomes soft and fragrant.
2. Add the cream. Bring to a low simmer, then stir in the cheese. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.

Assembly

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cook pasta to according to package directions to al dente.
3. Toss pasta into the prepared alfredo sauce.
4. Top alfredo pasta with meat sauce, then add shredded mozzarella.
5. Cover loosely with foil, then bake in pre-heated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
6. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

1. We use 90/10 lean ground beef. If using something fattier, you may wish to skim some of the fat off the top of the sauce to prevent your dish from being too greasy.
2. If time allows, let the meat sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
3. Use freshly grated cheese if possible, as it melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents.
4. This dish can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s going straight from the fridge to the oven.
5. Leftovers: This makes a big batch, so unless you're feeding guests or have a big family, you're probably going to have leftovers. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I don't recommend freezing. It still tastes good, but the textures don't hold up well. Reheat baked spaghetti in the microwave, or in the oven, covered, at 300 degrees until warmed through. For best results, remove from the fridge for 30 minutes prior to reheating.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.