Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti combines creamy, cheesy layers with savory ground beef and marinara sauce for a comforting and hearty pasta casserole. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this baked spaghetti is rich, flavorful, and baked to golden perfection.
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
Beef 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare 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 off any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir the marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the browned beef. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Layers: In a baking dish, start with half of the cooked spaghetti. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over it, then spoon the beef sauce on top. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers once more with the remaining spaghetti, cream cheese mixture, beef sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown, ensuring all flavors blend beautifully.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
- Feel free to add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the beef sauce for extra nutrition.
- Let the baked pasta rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving to allow it to set.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
