Description
Hearty spaghetti casserole delights with layers of pasta, rich marinara, and melted cheese. Comfort cuisine connects families around warm, bubbling dishes served straight from kitchen to table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 package (16 ounces/454 g) spaghetti
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
Dairy Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese
- 1/2 lb (227 g) cottage cheese (1 cup)
- 1/2 cup (113 g) butter (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Grated cheddar cheese
Seasoning/Topping:
(No additional seasoning/topping ingredients)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Create a creamy cheese base by whisking cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth and well-integrated.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat completely.
- Mix the browned beef with prepared spaghetti sauce, ensuring even coating of the meat.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter, creating a thin, even layer to prevent sticking.
- Arrange half of the cooked spaghetti noodles as the first layer, covering the bottom of the dish completely.
- Spread the prepared cheese mixture uniformly over the first noodle layer, creating a rich, creamy barrier.
- Layer the remaining spaghetti noodles on top of the cheese mixture, creating a second distinct layer.
- Dot the top noodle layer with additional butter pieces for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- Pour the meat and spaghetti sauce mixture evenly over the top noodle layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until heated through and slightly bubbly.
- Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the casserole and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.
Notes
- Make ahead by preparing the casserole and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich, comforting essence.
- Prevent soggy texture by thoroughly draining pasta and ensuring meat sauce isn’t too watery, which helps maintain the casserole’s structural integrity.
- Enhance flavor profile by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the cheese mixture, giving the dish an extra aromatic dimension that elevates the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg