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Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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5 from 133 reviews

Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and creamy pasta bake featuring layers of tender spaghetti coated in a rich cream cheese mixture, savory ground beef sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make casserole combines classic Italian flavors with a luscious texture, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound spaghetti

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (included in cream cheese mixture but also used in sauce to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (included in cream cheese mixture but also used in sauce to taste)
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Topping

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and release their flavors.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Longer simmering enhances the flavor depth.
  5. Cook Spaghetti: Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly to avoid excess water in the casserole.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and melted butter. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
  7. Add Cheese and Milk: Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and milk, stirring until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly runny, perfect for coating the pasta.
  8. Season Cream Cheese Mixture: Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cream mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed for balanced flavor.
  9. Toss Spaghetti in Cream Mixture: Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the cream cheese bowl. Gently toss the noodles to coat them evenly with the creamy sauce.
  10. Layer Casserole – First Layer: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour half of the coated spaghetti into the dish, spreading it evenly.
  11. Add Meat Sauce Layer: Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti layer, ensuring full coverage.
  12. Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meat sauce layer for a gooey, cheesy finish.
  13. Repeat Layers: Repeat the process with the remaining spaghetti mixture, then the rest of the meat sauce, and finish with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  14. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the assembled casserole for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown.
  15. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set for easier slicing.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
  • Use fresh mozzarella cheese for an even creamier cheese topping.
  • Feel free to add mushrooms or zucchini to the meat sauce for extra vegetables.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • To make ahead, assemble the casserole and refrigerate; bake just before serving.

Keywords: cream cheese spaghetti casserole, spaghetti bake, cheesy pasta casserole, easy pasta bake, comfort food casserole

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/cream-cheese-spaghetti-casserole-recipe/