Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting and cheesy pasta casserole featuring tender spaghetti coated in creamy cream cheese, layered with flavorful ground beef marinara, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it combines classic Italian-inspired flavors with the rich creaminess of cream cheese, baked to bubbly golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese and Toppings
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Add the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the browned beef. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Combine Spaghetti with Cream Cheese: Return the drained spaghetti to the pot. Stir in the softened cream cheese thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with a creamy texture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cream cheese coated spaghetti on the bottom, then spread half of the meat sauce over it. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti and meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top layer, and then add the grated Parmesan cheese to finish.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and cheeses to reduce fat content if desired.
- Be sure to drain the spaghetti well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a bright touch but can be omitted.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
