Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting and creamy pasta casserole featuring layers of al dente spaghetti, a smooth blend of cream cheese and sour cream, a savory ground beef marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, this dish combines rich flavors and a delightful cheesy texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound of spaghetti
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the assembled spaghetti casserole.
- Cook the spaghetti. Boil the spaghetti in salted water according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare cream cheese mixture. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Blend them together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Cook the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to ensure the sauce is not greasy.
- Make the meat sauce. Add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients, then simmer the sauce gently for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the casserole. In a baking dish, spread half of the cooked spaghetti as the bottom layer. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Then add the beef marinara sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining spaghetti, cream cheese mixture, beef sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to finish. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and has turned a golden brown color.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened before mixing to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Use fresh or dried Italian seasoning according to your preference for herbaceous flavor.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving for easier slicing and serving.
