Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble everything up to the biscuit topping and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, prepare the biscuit topping fresh, add it to the cold casserole, and extend the baking time by about 10-15 minutes since you're starting with a cold dish.

What if I can't find Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix?

While the specific mix gives this casserole its signature flavor, you can substitute with any biscuit mix and add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley, and a pinch of cayenne to mimic the Cheddar Bay seasoning. Add the shredded cheddar as directed in the original recipe.

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Definitely! While spaghetti creates the classic look, any pasta shape works well. Penne, rotini, or fusilli are excellent alternatives that hold the sauce beautifully and make serving even easier.

Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

You can lighten this recipe by using ground turkey instead of beef, part-skim ricotta, reduced-fat cheese, and whole grain pasta. The biscuit topping is harder to modify, but you could use less of it, creating a thinner layer on top.

Cheddar Bay Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Description

A hearty and savory Cheddar Bay Spaghetti Casserole that combines the flavors of cheesy Red Lobster biscuit topping with a comforting spaghetti bake, perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Spaghetti Mixture

- - 10 oz spaghetti noodles, uncooked
  - 1 lb lean ground beef
  - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  - 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  - 1/2 teaspoon salt
  - 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  - 24 oz marinara sauce
  - 16 oz ricotta
  - 1/2 cup milk
  - 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Biscuit Topping

- 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure even cooking for the casserole.
Prepare the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti noodles a couple of minutes less than the time specified on the package. Drain the noodles and set them aside as they will finish cooking in the oven.
Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef while crumbling it well. Add the diced onion and continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft.
Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 2 more minutes, then add the salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.
Add marinara sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and combine everything well. Once the sauce is evenly mixed, add the cooked spaghetti noodles and stir to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.
Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and scoop in half of the spaghetti mixture, spreading it out evenly to create the first layer.
Make the ricotta mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, milk, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth, then spoon this over the spaghetti layer in the dish and spread it out evenly.
Layer the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture as the next layer of the casserole.
Create the second layer of spaghetti: Spoon the remaining spaghetti mixture over the cheese to form the top layer.
Prepare the biscuit batter: In a bowl, combine the biscuit mix (without the seasoning packet), shredded cheddar cheese, and milk. Stir until no clumps remain, then spread the batter evenly over the top layer of spaghetti.
Bake the casserole: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 50–55 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is golden brown.
Brush with butter mixture: Mix the reserved biscuit seasoning packet with melted butter and brush this over the baked biscuit topping to enhance the flavor.
Let it rest and serve: Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes to let the biscuit top soak up the butter. Slice into portions, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Cook the spaghetti a few minutes less than the package instructions to avoid overcooking in the oven.
You can substitute the marinara sauce with your favorite pasta sauce if desired.
The biscuit topping can be adjusted for thickness or omitted if you prefer a standard casserole.
Make sure to let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing to maintain proper layers.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/10 of the casserole
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 65mg