Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a rich and comforting casserole that combines tender spaghetti with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream, layered with savory ground beef marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, it’s a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Spaghetti with Cream Mixture: Add the cooked spaghetti to the cream cheese mixture and toss until pasta is evenly coated.
- Assemble First Layer: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the bottom of a large baking dish.
- Add Sauce Layer: Spoon half of the marinara and ground beef mixture over the spaghetti layer.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce layer.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining spaghetti mixture, followed by the rest of the sauce and ground beef, then top with remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, finishing with mozzarella on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add minced garlic or Italian seasoning to the meat while browning.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to blend well with sour cream for a smooth sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Parmesan and mozzarella can be adjusted based on your preference for cheesiness.
