Description
This Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring tender spaghetti coated in a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan, layered with savory ground beef marinara sauce and topped with bubbling mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a hearty family dinner, this casserole combines rich flavors and satisfying textures baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Cream Cheese Mixture and Topping
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in salted water following package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, cooking and breaking it apart until browned. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Season Sauce: Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Spaghetti with Cream Cheese: Add the cooked spaghetti into the cream cheese mixture and toss until the noodles are evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the meat sauce evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cream cheese-coated spaghetti over this sauce, then spoon the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of meat sauce.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted to a golden, slightly browned finish.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to let it set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce during cooking.
- This casserole freezes well; assemble ahead and freeze unbaked for up to 2 months for convenient meal prep.
