Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting and creamy casserole combining tender spaghetti, rich cream cheese and sour cream mixture, savory ground beef in marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a hearty family dinner, it’s baked to golden perfection for a delicious, cheesy burst in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 1 pound of spaghetti
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of sour cream
Meat 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 spaghetti casserole later.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with sour cream until smooth and creamy, creating a rich layer for the casserole.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Stir marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the cooked beef. Let simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavors, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Casserole: In a baking dish, spread half of the cooked spaghetti as the first layer. Top it evenly with the cream cheese mixture, then spoon on the beef sauce. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over. Repeat all layers once more, finishing with mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly, indicating the casserole is heated through and ready to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Adding chopped fresh basil or parsley on top after baking adds fresh flavor and color.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to make blending with sour cream easier.
- Cover the casserole with foil if the cheese browns too quickly while baking.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
