![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blythesblog.com/recipe/grandma-jerrys-spaghetti/&media=https://i0.wp.com/blythesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_7075.jpeg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1&description=This is my late mother-in-law Jerry's baked spaghetti. One of the most important recipes in our family! She told me how to make it, but it was never as good as when she made it. I even made it in her kitchen with her magic cast-iron skillet and did it exactly as I was told, but it wasn't it! After all these years, I am finally getting close to her wonderful, comforting spaghetti. Basically, the key is to overcook the spaghetti. This goes against every grain of my being. It is very difficult for me to cook pasta past the al dente stage. Just get over yourself and do it! Also, why not just buy a big can of diced tomatoes and not break up the whole ones?! If you did that, it's NOT Grandma's Spaghetti! We always serve this with sourdough with melted Clearman's Cheese Spread. You can only buy it locally, so <a href="https://blythesblog.com/recipe/clearmans-cheese-spread/">here</a> is the recipe to make your own. data-pin-do=)
Grandma Jerry’s Spaghetti
August 17, 2026
This is my late mother-in-law Jerry's baked spaghetti. One of the most important recipes in our family! She told me how to make it, but it was never as good as when she made it. I even made it in her kitchen with her magic cast-iron skillet and did it exactly as I was told, but it wasn't it! After all these years, I am finally getting close to her wonderful, comforting spaghetti. Basically, the key is to overcook the spaghetti. This goes against every grain of my being. It is very difficult for me to cook pasta past the al dente stage. Just get over yourself and do it! Also, why not just buy a big can of diced tomatoes and not break up the whole ones?! If you did that, it's NOT Grandma's Spaghetti! We always serve this with sourdough with melted Clearman's Cheese Spread. You can only buy it locally, so here is the recipe to make your own.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Ingredients
28-ounce can whole Italian plum tomatoes
2 x 8-ounce cans tomato sauce garlic powder, to taste (why not 1 15-ounce can? Because Grandma used 2 small cans!)
8 ounce cheddar cheese, grated – plus more for top (we use close to 1 pound of cheese!)
red pepper flakes to serve, optional (but I think manditory!)
Directions
1Cook spaghetti a couple of minutes longer than the package directions. (Yes, I know, just do it).
2Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Set aside.
3In a saucepan, sauté the garlic for a few minutes, then add the bay leaf, oregano, basil, whole Italian plum tomatoes, tomato sauce, and garlic powder. Break up the whole tomatoes with a spoon. Simmer sauce for about 20 minutes.
4In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, tomato sauce, and the cheddar cheese. Pour spaghetti mixture in a greased 9” x 13” baking dish. Top with more cheddar cheese. Cover and bake at 350˚ F for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Jeanne Adams
August 19, 2026
That’s a great story, Leslie. I know that Jerry’s Spaghetti will be just as great. She was a lovely lady, in every sense of the word.