Description
A rich, creamy twist on baked spaghetti, this casserole combines tender noodles with cream cheese, a savory ground beef and vegetable sauce, and melty cheeses for a hearty, comforting meal.
Ingredients
12 oz (340 g) spaghetti noodles
1 (8 oz / 226 g) package cream cheese, softened
1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
1 (24 oz / 680 g) jar spaghetti sauce
½ cup diced green bell pepper
½ cup diced onion
½ cup grated carrots
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper, to taste
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and lightly grease a 9×13‑inch baking dish.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, bell pepper, onion, carrots, and garlic until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender.
- Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then stir in the spaghetti sauce. Simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors.
- In a large bowl, mix the hot spaghetti with the softened cream cheese until evenly coated and creamy.
- Spread a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, then layer the cream cheese spaghetti over it. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra vegetables.
Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta as needed.
Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Swap mozzarella for an Italian cheese blend for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
