Description
This comforting Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti combines tender spaghetti noodles with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream, layered with savory ground beef in marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese and baked to golden perfection. A hearty, family-friendly casserole perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside for layering.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, blend softened cream cheese with sour cream until smooth and creamy to create the rich cheese layer.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat for a leaner sauce.
- Simmer Meat Sauce: Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the cooked beef. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Casserole: In a baking dish, spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly. Layer the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, then spread the meat sauce on top. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining spaghetti, cream cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat sour cream and whole milk mozzarella cheese.
- Vegetarian alternative: Substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat substitute.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole a few hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers covered in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
