Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining tender spaghetti coated in a creamy cream cheese mixture layered with savory ground beef and spaghetti sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection with a golden parmesan cheese topping. Perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals, this casserole brings rich flavors and creamy texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 (26-oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
Topping
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure it’s ready when the casserole is assembled.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy. Stir in the prepared spaghetti sauce and set aside the meat sauce mixture.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- Make Creamy Spaghetti: To the hot spaghetti, add the cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and coats the spaghetti evenly, creating a rich and creamy base.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking and add flavor. Layer the creamy spaghetti evenly over the sauce, then pour the remaining meat sauce on top. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over everything.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the parmesan topping is slightly golden.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
- If baking after refrigerating, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to heat thoroughly.
- For baking after freezing, thaw completely before baking as directed.
- To reheat a frozen casserole, thaw completely, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
