Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients:
– 12 oz spaghetti noodles
– 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
– 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Brown Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
4. Add Sauce: Stir in the marinara or spaghetti sauce, and let it simmer on low heat while you prepare the cream cheese mixture.
5. Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with Parmesan cheese until smooth.
6. Combine Pasta and Cheese: Toss the cooked spaghetti noodles with the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
7. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the spaghetti and cream cheese mixture. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top.
8. Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
This casserole is perfect for a hearty dinner that’s easy to put together and full of comforting flavors!
