Ground Beef Spaghetti Casserole
Transform your weeknight dinners with this comforting, flavor-packed Ground Beef Spaghetti Casserole. This baked pasta dish combines tender spaghetti coated in creamy cream cheese, a hearty ground beef and tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, and a generous layer of gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly layered and baked to golden perfection, this casserole is an easy, family-friendly recipe that serves up big flavors with minimal effort. Ideal for busy evenings or meal prep, it’s a crowd-pleaser that reheats beautifully. Garnish with fresh parsley for a simple yet stunning presentation, and watch it disappear from the table! Keywords: ground beef spaghetti casserole, baked pasta dish, easy dinner recipe, family-friendly casserole, creamy baked spaghetti.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 pieces garlic cloves
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or a light coating of olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking it up with a spoon until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to combine.
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese into the cooked and drained spaghetti until evenly coated.
To assemble the casserole, spread half of the spaghetti mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top as the final layer.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Optionally, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving for added freshness and garnish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3228 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 199.2 g | 255% | |
| Saturated Fat | 94.4 g | 472% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 616 mg | 205% | |
| Sodium | 5325 mg | 232% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 181.5 g | 66% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.0 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.8 g | ||
| Protein | 186.5 g | 373% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2467 mg | 190% | |
| Iron | 21.3 mg | 118% | |
| Potassium | 3686 mg | 78% | |
*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.
