Description
Creamy, comforting baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole brings Italian-American kitchen magic to dinner tables. Cheesy pasta layers promise a hearty meal that welcomes you to savor each delicious, indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
Dairy Components:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 jar (24 ounces or 680 grams) marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until perfectly tender. Drain and toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent clumping.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Eliminate excess grease.
- Pour marinara sauce into the cooked beef, creating a rich meat sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, enhancing with salt and pepper.
- Create a velvety cheese blend by whisking together cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and half the Parmesan until smooth and well-integrated.
- Layer the casserole by spreading a thin meat sauce base, then arrange spaghetti evenly. Carefully spread the creamy cheese mixture across the pasta, followed by remaining meat sauce.
- Generously top the casserole with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Remove foil and continue baking 5-10 minutes more to achieve a golden, crispy cheese topping.
- Allow casserole to rest briefly after removing from oven. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve while warm and inviting.
Notes
- Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery casserole texture and ensure creamy consistency.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat and create lighter dish without compromising flavor.
- Consider making vegetarian version by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles or roasted vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms.
- Experiment with cheese variations like adding smoked gouda or using low-fat cream cheese for healthier alternative without sacrificing rich, comforting taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 559 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 567 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg