Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. It combines tender spaghetti mixed with creamy softened cream cheese, savory ground beef, rich spaghetti sauce, and a delightful blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 28 oz jar spaghetti sauce
Cheese & Seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti for about 12 minutes until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the jarred spaghetti sauce to combine.
- Mix Creamy Spaghetti: In a large bowl, combine the drained spaghetti with softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of garlic salt. Mix well until the spaghetti is evenly coated and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: In the greased baking pan, spread a layer of meat sauce first, then add the creamy spaghetti mixture on top. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the spaghetti, then sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped onions or bell peppers to the ground beef while browning.
- Make sure to fully drain the spaghetti to avoid a watery casserole.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set for easier serving.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce the fat content of the dish.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh herbal note when garnished on top.
