Keto Spaghetti Casserole (Cheesy & Baked to Perfection)

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If you’re anything like me, there are days when you just need a cozy, comforting dinner that doesn’t wreck your low-carb goals. That’s exactly why this baked keto spaghetti casserole has become a regular in our house. It’s hearty, cheesy, packed with flavor, and we don’t even miss the noodles.

keto spaghetti casserole with low carb marinara sauce, spaghetti squash, and cheese in a baking dish being scooped out with a spoon. with a white banner and black text at the top of the image

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I first made this keto spaghetti casserole on a busy weeknight when I needed something filling that my whole family would actually enjoy. That’s saying a lot since there are six of us, and several of us are picky! Between the tasty ground beef, gooey melty cheese, and tender spaghetti squash, it quickly became a favorite.

Whether you’re looking for a low-carb meal prep idea or a quick weeknight dinner, this keto baked casserole checks all the boxes. It’s simple, satisfying, and totally comforting!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This casserole keeps things simple and delicious. Here’s what I use:

  • Ground beef – Hearty, filling, and flavorful. I usually go for 80/20 because the fat adds richness and keeps me fuller longer.
  • Onion – Finely chopped. It adds that savory sweetness that makes the beef and sauce taste like they’ve been simmering all day.
  • Low-carb spaghetti sauce – Use your favorite brand here! Look for a marinara with no added sugar. Rao’s and Classico are go-tos in our kitchen. They are rich, smooth, and packed with flavor.
  • Olive oil – Just a drizzle to sauté the onions and beef. It gives everything that home-cooked taste without overpowering the dish.
  • Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese – Melted, bubbly cheese on top makes this feel like comfort food at its best. I love the stretchy mozzarella and the salty kick from Parmesan. It gives the total baked spaghetti flavor.

✨ That’s it! You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something your whole family will love.

Step-by-Step: How to Make This Keto Spaghetti Casserole

This is one of those recipes that comes together so easily yet tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

You’ll want a 9×9 baking dish lightly greased and ready to go.

Skillet of browned ground beef with onions for the spaghetti squash casserole

Step 2. Brown the ground beef.

Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Break it up with your spoon and cook until it’s browned and no longer pink. Season with a little salt and pepper if you’d like. Drain any excess grease.

Tip: I keep browned ground beef in my freezer stored in gallon freezer bags. Buying and browning ground beef in bulk is a huge meal prep hack. It makes dinners like this much easier and saves a ton of time.

stainless steel skillet with low carb marinara sauce combined with ground beef and onions for keto spaghetti dish

Step 3. Stir in your spaghetti sauce.

Pour in the low-carb marinara and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. This gives all the flavors a chance to come together and makes your kitchen smell amazing.

Low Carb Spaghetti or Pizza Sauce Options Without Any Added Sugar

Sauce Brand Total Carbs Fiber Net Carbs (½ cup)
Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce 6g 1g 5g
Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce 6g 1g 5g
Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Tomato Sauce 5g 1g 4g
Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil 5g 1g 4g
Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce 6g 1g 5g
ALDI Selected Premium Marinara 7g 2g 5g
Mezzetta Family Recipes Marinara 7g 1g 6g
Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce 8g 2g 6g

**above table is based on per serving

Roasted spaghetti squash resting on a parchment paper lined baking sheet with a fork setting in it

Step 4. Prep your spaghetti squash.

If you haven’t cooked it yet, slice your squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, coat with a thin layer of olive oil, and place it cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast until it’s tender and shreds easily with a fork. I love to line the baking sheet with parchment paper making clean up a breeze.

Don’t skip this part—it makes a big difference!

Once your spaghetti squash is roasted and cooled a bit, place it on a few layers of paper towels and gently press out the extra moisture. You don’t want a soggy casserole, and trust me, this quick step keeps everything nice and firm when it bakes. It’s totally worth the extra minute.

Quick tip: Spaghetti squash can be a beast to cut through! To make it easier, I poke a few holes in the skin with a sharp knife and pop it in the microwave for about 3 to 5 minutes. It softens just enough to slice without a fight. If you want more help with this step, here’s a full guide on how I roast spaghetti squash that walks you through everything.

Greased 9x9 baking dish with shredded spaghetti squash covering the bottom of the dish

Step 5: Base layer

Place the spaghetti squash as the bottom layer in your greased 9×9 baking dish. If it seems watery at all, drain it again on paper towels before adding the sauce.

Shredded spaghetti squash in a 9x9 baking dish covered with spaghetti sauce on top of it. a spoon is above the dish with sauce on it.

Step 6. Add the sauce.

Spoon and spread the meat sauce on top of the shredded squash base.

9x9 baking dish with layered keto spaghetti casserole topped with cheese

Step 7. Top with cheeses.

Add the mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning to the keto spaghetti casserole.

view of baked keto spaghetti casserole from above

Step 8. Bake until bubbly.

Pop the casserole into the oven and bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown around the edges. If you like the cheese a little crispy on top, you can broil it for the last 1–2 minutes. Just keep a close eye on it.

A helping of spaghetti casserole on a white plate with a cheesy garlic bread chaffle beside it

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

This keto spaghetti casserole stores really well. Honestly, I think the flavors get even better the next day. Here’s how I handle leftovers (when we actually have any!):

Refrigerator:

Let the casserole cool completely, then cover the baking dish with foil or put leftovers in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 3–4 days.

Freezer:

This recipe freezes great! Wrap it in foil and place in a zippered storage bag or use a freezer-safe container, and store for up to 2–3 months.

Reheating:

To reheat from the fridge, pop it in the microwave for about 60–90 seconds. For the best texture, especially if it was frozen, I recommend reheating it in the oven at 350°F for about 15–20 minutes or until warm.

Pro tip: Add a tiny splash of marinara on top before warming it up.

Recipe Variations & Easy Substitutions

This casserole is super flexible so don’t stress if you want to tweak it. Here are a few ways it can be switched up:

Use ground turkey or sausage instead of beef

Ground turkey is a great lighter option that works great. Want more flavor? Try Italian sausage (just watch the carbs—some brands can sneak in sugar).

Make it dairy-free

You can skip the cheese entirely or swap in a dairy-free mozzarella-style blend.

Add in veggies

Chopped spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms are fantastic additions. It’s an easy way to sneak in extra nutrients especially if you’re feeding kids.

Want it spicy?

A pinch of red pepper flakes or a little hot Italian sausage brings the heat. My husband’s a fan, but I usually keep it mild for the kids.

Use hearts of palm noodles.

If you want more of a traditional “pasta bake” texture, then try subbing some or all of the spaghetti squash for palmini noodles. They’re low in carbs and surprisingly close to the real thing!

What do I serve with it?

If you’re looking for a cozy, satisfying meal that doesn’t feel like “diet food,” this baked keto spaghetti casserole is it. It’s cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor.

Whether you’re just starting out on a low-carb journey or you’ve been eating this way for years, I hope this becomes one of those go-to dinners you come back to again and again.

If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, or tag me on Instagram so I can see your version!

** And don’t forget to save or pin this recipe so you’ve got it ready the next time you need an easy, family-friendly keto dinner. **

More Easy Keto Casserole Recipes

baked keto spaghetti
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4.89 from 9 votes

Keto Spaghetti Casserole (Cheesy & Baked to Perfection)

This cheesy baked keto spaghetti casserole is the perfect low-carb comfort food. Made with roasted spaghetti squash, ground beef, and marinara, it’s hearty, family-friendly, and easy to make ahead. You won’t even miss the pasta!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, casual, Italian
Keyword: baked keto dinner, keto casserole, keto comfort food, Keto Ground Beef Recipes, keto pasta bake, keto spaghetti, low carb spaghetti squash casserole, spaghetti squash recipe
Servings: 9
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Kasey Trenum

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x9 baking dish and set aside.
  • Roast the spaghetti squash if you haven’t already. Slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and bake cut-side down at 400°F for 25-30 minutes or until the inside is al dente. Once cool, scrape out the strands and press between paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  • Meanwhile, Add ground beef and onions to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon or chopper. Drain grease and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in the low-carb marinara sauce and let it simmer for a couple minutes.
  • Add roasted and separated spaghetti squash to the bottom of the greased casserole dish, top with spaghetti sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for a golden top if desired.
  • Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with parsley and enjoy!

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Video

Notes

I used Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce to make this low-carb spaghetti bake. The nutritional information was calculated using this sauce. I divided the casserole into 9 equal-sized servings. 

Low Carb Spaghetti or Pizza Sauce Options Without Any Added Sugar

  • Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce – 4g net carbs per ½ cup
  • Rao’s Homemade Tomato BasilSauce– 3g net carbs per ½ cup
  • Lucini Italia Organic Tuscan Marinara Sauce – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
  • Lucini Italia Organic Rustic Tomato Basil – 3g net carbs per ½ cup
  • Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Marinara – 6g net carbs per ½ cup
  • ALDI Simply Selected Premium Marinara - 5g net carbs per ½ cup
  • Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce - 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup
  • Victoria Trading Company Marinara Sauce - 5g net carbs per 1/2 cup

Tips:

  • This is crucial. Make sure to squeeze all of the water out of the spaghetti squash. Place the roasted spaghetti squash on paper towels to squeeze out the moisture so that the keto spaghetti casserole will not be watery when it is baked. This step is VERY IMPORTANT.
  • Spaghetti squash is extremely hard to cut. To make this process easier, pierce the outside of the squash with a fork or knife several times and throw it in the microwave for approximately 3-5 minutes. This will soften the skin and make it easier to cut. 

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @kaseytrenumblogger or tag #kaseytrenumblogger!

collage image of keto baked spaghetti casserole in casserole dish on top and plated on the bottom a blue banner with white text separates the images

12 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    You can also use Miracle Noodles, coconut noodles or Palmini hearts of palm noodles if you want less carbs and a more noodley texture.

  2. 5 stars
    I just love ALL of your recipes!! It makes eating less sugar and carbs so much easier. I did add a bit of tomato paste to thicken the sauce so it’s not so runny.

    1. So glad you enjoyed it. If you really press out all of the liquid from the spaghetti squash it helps it to thicken up. Or, if you boil the spaghetti sauce with the lid off it will reduce and thicken. But tomato paste is a good option too.

    1. I’ve never frozen it so I can’t answer how it would turn out. If you try it let me know how it goes. Thanks

  3. 5 stars
    This was so great and easy to make. I had to cut the tomato sauce way down because I have to watch my potassium. I will definitely make again!

  4. 5 stars
    This turned out so delicious and my family loved it. I made my own sauce and added pepperoni’s on top for some added flavor.

4.89 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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