Description
A creamy, cheesy baked spaghetti casserole with layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a rich cream cheese mixture. Comfort food perfection for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Cook spaghetti until al dente, drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in skillet. Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add ground beef or turkey, cook until browned, drain excess fat.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15–20 minutes.
5. In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in sour cream, milk, and 1 cup mozzarella.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Layer half of the spaghetti in the dish.
8. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over pasta.
9. Top with remaining spaghetti.
10. Pour meat sauce over spaghetti layers.
11. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
12. Bake 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
13. Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not overcook spaghetti; al dente is best.
Let meat sauce simmer longer for richer flavor.
Use quality marinara sauce if short on time.
Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps.
Great for meal prep: assemble ahead and bake later.
Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes for spice.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Swap ground beef for turkey or Italian sausage.
Experiment with provolone, cheddar, or Monterey Jack for topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: spaghetti, baked casserole, pasta, cream cheese, cheesy, comfort food, family dinner