Description
Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and delicious baked pasta dish combining creamy, cheesy spaghetti with savory ground beef and vegetable meat sauce layers, topped with melted mozzarella. Perfect for a family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 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 above)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (included above)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too greasy.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook them together until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes, to develop flavor and texture.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (with liquid), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Longer simmering will deepen the flavor.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the meat sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well to prevent sogginess in the casserole.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and melted butter. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add Parmesan and Milk: Stir grated Parmesan cheese and milk into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Season Cream Cheese Mixture: Stir in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cream cheese mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Toss Spaghetti in Cream Cheese Mixture: Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl with cream cheese mixture. Toss gently to coat the noodles evenly.
- Layer Spaghetti – First Layer: Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly to form the first layer.
- Layer Meat Sauce – First Layer: Spoon half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle Mozzarella – First Layer: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining spaghetti mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese to create a second layer.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking to set and cool slightly for easier serving.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess grease from the ground beef to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Cooking the meat sauce longer will enhance the flavor, so simmer up to 30 minutes if time allows.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor in the cream cheese mixture.
- Allow the casserole to rest before serving to help it firm up and make serving easier.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.
