Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sour cream
½ cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
Cook the Spaghetti:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Brown the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Add the marinara sauce to the beef and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Casserole:
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
Add the cooked spaghetti the dish, spreading it evenly.