Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting and rich Italian-inspired casserole that combines tender spaghetti with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream, savory ground beef marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it offers a delightful cheesy twist on traditional spaghetti baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound of spaghetti
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of sour cream
Beef Sauce
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the sour cream until smooth and creamy to create a rich layer.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, then drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Stir the marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the cooked beef. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to let flavors meld, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Layers: In a baking dish, layer half of the cooked spaghetti, then spread the cream cheese mixture over it, followed by the beef sauce, and sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat these layers once more.
- Bake: Bake the assembled casserole for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbly, signaling it’s ready to serve.
Notes
- Make sure to cook the spaghetti slightly al dente as it will cook further in the oven.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- For added flavor, consider mixing in some chopped onions or fresh herbs in the beef sauce.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
