Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake combining spaghetti with a rich blend of cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese, layered with savory ground beef marinara and topped with melted cheddar and parmesan cheese. It’s baked to bubbly perfection, making it an ideal hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Spaghetti
- 1 pound spaghetti
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 block cream cheese (8 ounces)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic (minced or finely chopped)
Toppings
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Other
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy serving and cleaning.
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, stirring frequently to break up lumps. Once cooked through, drain excess fat if necessary (especially if not using lean beef).
- Add Marinara Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned beef. Stir and simmer until the sauce is heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Cut the cream cheese into chunks to help it soften and mix more easily. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, and garlic. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Mixture: Add the cooked spaghetti to the cheese mixture bowl. Toss gently to evenly coat the pasta with the cheesy mixture.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread a layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Next, add the spaghetti and cheese mixture on top, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Finish by sprinkling the cheddar and parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole, uncovered, in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and golden.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and avoid draining grease.
- For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or fresh herbs to the meat sauce if desired.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to cooking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Substitute or add mozzarella cheese for a stretchier cheese topping.
- If you want a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
