Description
Creamy homemade Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti combines rich textures and comforting Italian flavors in one delightful casserole. Pasta enthusiasts will savor this simple yet satisfying meal that brings warmth and deliciousness to any dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
Pasta and Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Elevate the oven temperature to 350F (175C), creating an ideal environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Immerse spaghetti strands in boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender with a slight resistance, then carefully drain and set aside.
- Whisk cream cheese and sour cream together in a mixing bowl until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Transform ground beef in a hot skillet, cooking thoroughly until no pink remains, then eliminate excess grease through careful draining.
- Infuse the beef with robust marinara, sprinkle in garlic powder and Italian seasoning, allowing flavors to meld for 5 minutes while seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Construct a delectable layered masterpiece in a baking dish: spread a base of spaghetti, generously coat with cream cheese mixture, cascade beef sauce overtop, and crown with a lavish sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat the layering process for maximum flavor complexity.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, transforming it through 25-30 minutes of heat until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling landscape of deliciousness.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier blending and smoother texture.
- Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery sauce and ensure creamy consistency.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter dish.
- Customize by adding vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition and color.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for dietary alternatives.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like cheddar or parmesan for varied flavor profiles.
- Make ahead and refrigerate assembled dish, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal prep.
- Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make cutting easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg