Here’s a delicious recipe for Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole! This comforting dish is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or family gathering.
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, if preferred)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Meat Mixture:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion until the meat is browned and the onions are soft (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Drain any excess fat, then add the marinara sauce. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer with half of the meat sauce, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture, meat sauce, and cheeses.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot!
Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, comforting baked spaghetti casserole! It’s sure to be a hit!