Description
A creamy and comforting baked spaghetti casserole layered with rich cream cheese pasta, savory meat sauce, and bubbly melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef or Italian sausage, or a 50/50 mix
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz (680g / 1 jar) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti noodles
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream or ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups (225g) low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the spaghetti in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions, about 7 minutes.
- Drain the spaghetti well and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or sausage and diced onion until no pink remains.
- Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, sour cream or ricotta cheese, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley until completely smooth and creamy.
- Toss the drained spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until evenly coated.
- Spread the creamed spaghetti into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the warm meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest briefly before serving.
Notes
Cook the spaghetti 2 minutes less than the package directions so it does not become overcooked during baking. Cover the casserole for the first 20 minutes, then uncover it to melt and lightly brown the cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 100mg