Description
Creamy baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole brings comfort and indulgence to dinner tables with its rich, cheesy layers. Hearty pasta nestled with savory herbs and velvety sauce promises a satisfying meal that welcomes you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sour cream
Meat and Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent sticking.
- Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil to prevent clumping.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, then stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, simmering for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious base for the casserole.
- Layer half the pasta in the prepared baking dish, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly, then top with half the meat sauce.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the sauce.
- Repeat layering with remaining pasta, meat sauce, and finish with a final blanket of cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps set the layers and intensify the flavors.
Notes
- Prevent pasta from sticking by adding a splash of olive oil and stirring immediately after draining, ensuring each strand remains separate and perfectly coated.
- Enhance flavor complexity by using a blend of ground meats like beef and Italian sausage for a richer, more nuanced taste profile.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta, maintaining the dish’s creamy texture and hearty appeal.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef, low-fat cream cheese, and Greek yogurt as a sour cream alternative without compromising the casserole’s indulgent character.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg