Description
A cozy, family-friendly casserole that combines spaghetti, meat, and a creamy layer of cream cheese for a comforting pasta bake.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti (regular or whole-wheat)
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 (28-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1/2 tsp)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of garlic salt (or more to taste)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (optional, for browning)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente (10–12 minutes). Drain and leave hot.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high. If using, add olive oil and brown the ground beef for 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir the spaghetti sauce into the browned meat and let simmer for 2–3 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine hot spaghetti with softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. Toss until creamy.
- In the baking pan, spread half of the meat sauce, then add the spaghetti mixture, and top with remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling and cheese is golden. Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with 2 cups cooked lentils. Add sautéed veggies for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian