Description
A rich and creamy baked spaghetti casserole made with ground beef, marinara sauce, cream cheese, and topped with melted mozzarella, perfect for comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the hot spaghetti with the cubed cream cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and coats the pasta.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Add the cream cheese spaghetti mixture in an even layer.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or sausage for beef for a flavor variation.
- Add sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Cover with foil and add a splash of water when reheating to keep it moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
