Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting and creamy casserole that combines tender spaghetti noodles coated in smooth cream cheese with a savory meat sauce loaded with vegetables and Italian seasoning. Topped with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, it is baked to bubbly perfection, making it a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup diced green peppers
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Toppings
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook spaghetti noodles: Boil the spaghetti noodles in a large pot of salted water following the package instructions until al dente. Drain well, then return the noodles to the pot.
- Mix noodles with cream cheese: While the noodles are still hot, add the softened cream cheese to the pot and thoroughly mix until all noodles are evenly coated with creamy goodness. Set this aside.
- Cook ground beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef for about 5 to 7 minutes until it is browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Sauté vegetables and season: Add diced onions, green peppers, grated carrots, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the Italian seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Add and simmer sauce: Pour in the jar of spaghetti sauce and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Then remove from heat.
- Layer in baking dish - first sauce: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base.
- Add cream cheese spaghetti: Evenly spread the cream cheese-coated spaghetti noodles over the sauce layer.
- Top with remaining sauce and cheese: Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the noodles, then sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese across the top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake and serve: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. Remove from oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy baked spaghetti!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or fresh basil to the sauce.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef to lighten the dish.
- Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded may enhance melting and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti noodles and verify the spaghetti sauce ingredients.