is a comforting and creamy dish that blends perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, tangy cream cheese sauce. This hearty casserole is layered with savory flavors, including a zesty marinara and gooey melted cheese. It’s an ideal recipe for a cozy family dinner or a potluck gathering, offering that homemade taste that everyone loves.
If you’re craving a filling, baked pasta dish that’s easy to prepare and loaded with cheesy goodness, this casserole is the one for you. Plus, you can adjust the flavors and ingredients to suit your preferences, making it an adaptable crowd-pleaser.
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet for sauce
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or spatula
- Foil for covering the dish
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook Spaghetti: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, then set aside.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Creamy Layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer the cooked spaghetti evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti, making sure it covers evenly. Pour the marinara and meat sauce over the creamy layer, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
35-40 minutes
Total Time:
50-55 minutes
Nutrition (per serving, based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a deliciously creamy and satisfying meal that will win over the hearts of your family and guests. It’s easy to make, with layers of pasta, rich cheese, and flavorful sauce that bake to perfection. Whether for a busy weeknight or a weekend dinner, this casserole is a go-to recipe for comfort and flavor!
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
a comforting and creamy dish that blends perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, tangy cream cheese sauce. This hearty casserole is layered with savory flavors, including a zesty marinara and gooey melted cheese.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet for sauce
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or spatula
- Foil for covering the dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, then set aside.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the Creamy Layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese (or ricotta), and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer the cooked spaghetti evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti, making sure it covers evenly. Pour the marinara and meat sauce over the creamy layer, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Prep Time:
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time:
- 35-40 minutes
- Total Time:
- 50-55 minutes
- Nutrition (per serving, based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a deliciously creamy and satisfying meal that will win over the hearts of your family and guests. It’s easy to make, with layers of pasta, rich cheese, and flavorful sauce that bake to perfection. Whether for a busy weeknight or a weekend dinner, this casserole is a go-to recipe for comfort and flavor!
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