Description
A rich, creamy twist on classic spaghetti, this baked casserole layers al dente noodles with a tangy cream cheese mixture, savory meat sauce, and melty mozzarella for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
24 oz marinara sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti, then spread the cream cheese mixture evenly. Top with remaining spaghetti and pour meat sauce over the top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly across the surface.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
Soften the cream cheese fully to make mixing smooth and easy.
Don’t overcook the pasta—keep it al dente to avoid mushy texture after baking.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing to help it set.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: spaghetti casserole, cream cheese pasta, baked pasta, family dinner