Prepare to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. This dish is creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. It combines tender spaghetti noodles with a creamy cream cheese sauce, savory ground beef, and tangy marinara sauce. This pasta casserole, topped with melted cheese and baked to perfection, will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner at home or feeding a crowd at a party, this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti will satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook the Spaghetti:
- Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up into crumbles with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
- Layer half of the cooked spaghetti noodles over the marinara sauce.
- Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti noodles.
- Spoon half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti noodles, cream cheese mixture, and ground beef mixture.
- Top with Cheese:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
- Uncover and Finish Baking:
- Remove the foil and continue baking the casserole for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti hot, straight from the oven, and enjoy the creamy and comforting flavors of this delicious pasta dish.
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a hearty and satisfying dish suitable for any occasion. With its creamy cream cheese sauce, savory ground beef, and gooey melted cheese, this pasta casserole is sure to please everyone. Whether served as a cozy weeknight dinner or as the centerpiece of a family gathering, this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti will have everyone coming back for seconds. So gather your ingredients and savor the creamy goodness of this irresistible pasta tonight!