Description
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! This easy-to-make dish combines spaghetti, creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and Parmesan for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (26 oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat and stir in the spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Set aside.
3. Cook the Spaghetti
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
4. Mix the Spaghetti with Cream Cheese
- Add the cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic to the hot spaghetti. Stir until the cream cheese melts and the spaghetti is evenly coated.
5. Assemble the Casserole
- Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add the spaghetti mixture on top of the sauce. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.
7. Serve
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Variations: Add mozzarella cheese on top for an extra cheesy finish or mix in sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
