Description
Baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole brings comfort and elegance to weeknight dinners with its creamy, hearty layers. Rich Italian-inspired flavors meld perfectly, creating a simple yet sophisticated meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
Pasta and Primary Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Cheese and Dairy:
- ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 g) ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta foundation by immersing spaghetti in generously salted boiling water. Cook until tender, then thoroughly drain and set aside for subsequent layering.
- Activate a large skillet with olive oil over moderate heat. Gently transform chopped onions into translucent, softened gems, then introduce minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the cooking environment.
- Incorporate cream cheese and sour cream into the skillet, whisking until a velvety, uniform mixture emerges. Pour in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning, creating a harmonious sauce. Allow the blend to simmer, enabling flavors to intertwine and develop depth.
- Merge the cooked spaghetti with the luxurious sauce, ensuring each strand becomes thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture. Distribute evenly to guarantee consistent flavor throughout the dish.
- Warm the oven to 375F, preparing a baking vessel with a light protective coating. Transfer the sauced pasta into the dish, spreading it into a uniform layer that promises delectable consumption.
- Crown the casserole with a generous blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, creating a potential golden, bubbling surface that will transform during baking.
- Position the casserole in the heated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes. For an enhanced textural experience, consider a brief broiling finale to achieve a crisp, caramelized cheese topping.
- Extract the casserole from the oven, permitting a brief resting period. Optional herb garnishes like parsley or basil can provide a fresh, vibrant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Customize pasta thickness by choosing different spaghetti varieties like whole wheat, gluten-free, or spinach pasta for diverse dietary needs.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat cream cheese and part-skim mozzarella without compromising the rich, creamy texture.
- Enhance protein content by adding cooked ground turkey, shredded chicken, or plant-based crumbles to transform the dish into a complete meal.
- Maximize flavor by allowing the sauce to simmer longer, which helps ingredients meld and intensifies the overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg