Description
Creamy, comforting baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole brings Italian-inspired magic to dinner tables with its rich, tangy layers. Cheesy pasta perfection promises to satisfy hungry crowds and deliver ultimate comfort in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the beef and return to the skillet, stirring in marinara sauce, garlic powder, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whip softened cream cheese until smooth, then gently fold in sour cream until well combined.
- Layer the prepared casserole by spreading half the cream cheese mixture across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Arrange the cooked spaghetti evenly over the cream cheese layer, then top with the seasoned meat sauce.
- Spread the remaining cream cheese mixture over the meat sauce, ensuring even coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheeses generously across the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a light golden surface.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Enhance flavor intensity by using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more robust and authentic taste profile.
- Create a lighter version by substituting ground turkey or lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and calories.
- Customize this dish for gluten-sensitive individuals by using gluten-free spaghetti and verifying marinara sauce ingredients.
- Maximize cheese melting by allowing the casserole to rest briefly after baking, which helps ingredients bind and improves serving texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg