Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 (24 oz) jar of pasta sauce (or homemade marinara)
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the meat. Cook for 1 more minute, then stir in the pasta sauce. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream (if using), and Parmesan until smooth.
- Add the drained spaghetti to the bowl and toss to coat noodles evenly with the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread half of the meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the cream cheese-coated spaghetti, then pour the remaining meat sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Enjoy your deliciously creamy, cheesy spaghetti casserole!
Let me know if you’d like a vegetarian or spicy version!