Description
This Ultimate Baked Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy, and savory pasta casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Tender spaghetti is tossed with eggs, parmesan, and butter, layered with a rich cream cheese mixture, hearty Italian sausage, and a flavorful spaghetti sauce, then baked until bubbling with melted mozzarella on top.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 16 oz thin spaghetti
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 5 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb Italian sausage or hamburger, cooked
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook the Spaghetti and Combine with Egg Mixture: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss this mixture with the cooked spaghetti to coat it evenly. Transfer the coated pasta into the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In another bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth and well mixed. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer in the pan.
- Add Meat Sauce Layer: Mix the cooked Italian sausage or ground hamburger with the jar of spaghetti sauce until combined. Spread this meat sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Top with Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the layered casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Remove from oven and let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey for Italian sausage if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add chopped onions or bell peppers to the cooked meat mixture.
- Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
