Description
Layers of al dente spaghetti tossed in a cream cheese blend, a savory meat marinara, and a bubbly mozzarella–Parmesan top make this casserole pure comfort. Easy, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook spaghetti in salted water to just shy of al dente; drain.
- Brown beef in olive oil; drain excess fat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute. Stir in marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
- Whisk cream cheese with sour cream until smooth. Toss with warm spaghetti to coat.
- Layer half the creamy spaghetti, half the sauce, and a sprinkle of both cheeses. Repeat with remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheeses.
- Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly and golden. Rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
Undercook pasta slightly so it stays al dente after baking. Use a marinara you love; doctor with extra garlic or herbs if needed. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead; add 10–15 minutes to the covered bake time. For reheating, add a splash of milk/broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cream cheese spaghetti casserole, pasta bake, make-ahead dinner, family casserole, cheesy spaghetti bake