Description
Creamy comfort meets Italian charm in this baked cream cheese spaghetti recipe that promises pure indulgence. Zesty marinara, tender pasta, and rich cream cheese blend into a mouthwatering meal that will make dinner feel like a celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Proteins:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 g) ricotta or cottage cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
Carbohydrates:
- 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Seasonings and Oils:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a welcoming environment for this hearty pasta creation.
- Submerge spaghetti in boiling water, following package guidance for perfect al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Transform ground beef in a large skillet, browning the meat until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior. Eliminate excess fat to ensure a clean, robust flavor profile.
- Infuse the meat with marinara sauce, introducing garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer, melding flavors for approximately 5 minutes before removing from heat.
- Craft a luxurious cream base by whisking cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta, and half the Parmesan into a silky, harmonious blend.
- Establish a foundation in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of meat sauce, creating a flavorful platform for the upcoming layers.
- Strategically arrange half the spaghetti over the sauce, then generously spread the cream mixture across the pasta landscape.
- Complete the layering with remaining spaghetti, cascading the rest of the meat sauce over the top to ensure complete coverage.
- Shower the casserole with shredded mozzarella and remaining Parmesan, creating a golden, cheesy crown.
- Shield the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through.
- Unveil the casserole, removing the foil to let the cheese transform into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece during an additional 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Allow the dish to rest and settle for 5-10 minutes, letting the layers stabilize and flavors intensify before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and present this comforting, multilayered pasta creation to eager diners.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich, comforting flavor profile.
- Experiment with gluten-free spaghetti to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the creamy, cheesy texture.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream to reduce calories while keeping the luxurious, velvety consistency of the dish.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg