Description
This creamy and cheesy spaghetti casserole delivers comfort food at its finest, combining rich marinara sauce, hearty pasta, and melty cheese for a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix in Marinara Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce with the browned beef. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese with Italian seasoning and mix until smooth. Add drained spaghetti into this bowl and stir until fully coated.
- Layer Ingredients: In a greased 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti mixture at the bottom, followed by half of the meat sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Transfer to plates and drizzle with extra marinara sauce if desired before serving hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: - For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or add more vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. - This casserole can be made ahead of time; just cover it tightly and refrigerate before baking.