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–+ servings

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

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A comforting casserole that combines spaghetti, ground beef, and a creamy three-cheese blend. This crowd-pleasing dish features layers of pasta, a rich meat sauce, and a creamy cream cheese mixture, all topped with melted mozzarella for the perfect golden crust.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz spaghetti about ¾ of a 1-lb box
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 24 oz marinara or spaghetti sauce 1 jar
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces
  • Fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent clumping.
  2. Brown ground beef with diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper once meat is no longer pink.
  3. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan until smooth.
  5. Lightly butter a 9x13 baking dish. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti on the bottom.
  6. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the pasta layer.
  7. Add remaining spaghetti, then pour the meat sauce over everything.
  8. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and dot with butter pieces.
  9. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Make ahead tip: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking. For easy substitutions, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or try gluten-free pasta. The cream cheese must be properly softened to avoid lumps. Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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