Description
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Delight is a comforting and rich pasta casserole that brings together the heartiness of marinara-coated spaghetti with the smooth texture of melted cream cheese. It’s topped with gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheese, making it a perfect dish for family dinners or social gatherings where a warming, satisfying meal is appreciated.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 24 oz jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook the spaghetti noodles al dente according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and return to the pot.
- Add the cubed cream cheese to the hot spaghetti, tossing until the noodles are fully coated and the cream cheese has melted, creating a creamy sauce.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it is fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Make sure to drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and minced garlic to the cooked beef, and sauté for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, melding the flavors together.
- Spread a thin layer of the beef and marinara sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer the cream cheese-coated spaghetti on top, then cover with the remaining sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the dish is hot and bubbly.
- After baking, let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes to set. This makes it easier to serve and enhances the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes