Dive into comfort food heaven with this Awesome and Easy Spaghetti Casserole, a family-friendly twist on classic baked spaghetti. This crowd-pleasing recipe layers tender al dente spaghetti with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, a rich and savory marinara-infused ground beef sauce, and plenty of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the ultimate cheesy topping. Quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole comes together in just 20 minutes of prep time and bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Packed with bold Italian flavors and a comforting texture, this dish is an effortless way to bring everyone to the table. Serve it with a crisp green salad or a side of garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal. Keywords: spaghetti casserole recipe, baked spaghetti, easy casserole dinner, cheesy pasta bake, weeknight comfort food.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente (according to package directions). Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes, then drain any excess grease.
Stir in the marinara sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes while you prepare the creamy layer.
In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and combined.
Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Layer the cream cheese and sour cream mixture over the spaghetti, spreading it out evenly.
Add the remaining spaghetti as the next layer, followed by the ground beef and marinara sauce mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
Calories |
1061 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.5 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.1 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 957 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 149.3 g | 54% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.0 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.9 g | ||
| Protein | 31.2 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 298 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 7.3 mg | 41% | |
| Potassium | 364 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.