Description
A rich and creamy baked pasta dish featuring spaghetti tossed with cream cheese and sour cream, layered with savory meat sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (about 8 ounces)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (about 1.5 ounces)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine Ingredients: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just shy of al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and return to the pot. Stir in softened cream cheese and sour cream until spaghetti is evenly coated and creamy.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in ground beef, cook until browned, and season with salt and pepper. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, then half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheeses.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Finishing Touches: Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice into portions and serve hot with salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly under al dente to avoid overcooking during baking.
- Warm cream cheese slightly before mixing for a smoother sauce.
- Freshly grate mozzarella and Parmesan for better melt and flavor.
- Assemble ahead of time, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, and bake before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: baked spaghetti casserole, cream cheese pasta bake, cheesy spaghetti, pasta dinner ideas, family-friendly casseroles