Description
Creamy spaghetti casserole brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with a luxurious blend of pasta, cream cheese, and savory seasonings. Families will savor each cheesy, herb-infused bite of this irresistible one-pan wonder that promises warmth and satisfaction in every forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
- 1 (26-ounce/737 grams) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 (8-ounce/227 grams) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C), preparing a welcoming environment for this creamy pasta creation.
- Boil spaghetti until perfectly al dente, then thoroughly drain excess water.
- In a sizzling skillet, brown ground beef with aromatic garlic, ensuring meat loses its raw pink tone and excess fat is removed.
- Infuse beef with rich spaghetti sauce and Italian seasoning, allowing flavors to meld during a gentle 10-minute simmer.
- Transform cooked spaghetti by blending with cream cheese, creating a luxurious coating that ensures each pasta strand is thoroughly embraced.
- Transfer the creamy spaghetti into a spacious baking dish, creating an inviting base layer.
- Cascade the savory beef and sauce mixture evenly across the spaghetti foundation.
- Generously dust the surface with grated parmesan cheese, adding a delectable finishing touch.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the dish is thoroughly heated, with cheese melted into a tempting golden blanket.
- Serve immediately while warm and wonderfully aromatic.
Notes
- Make cream cheese softer by letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing with pasta, ensuring smoother and more even coating.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter version of the dish without compromising flavor.
- For gluten-free option, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Add extra herbs like fresh basil or oregano on top before serving to boost fresh flavor and create a restaurant-style presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 563 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg