Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this comforting Spaghetti Casserole, a baked pasta dish brimming with robust flavors and creamy textures. Featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti layered with a savory ground beef and marinara sauce, a rich cream cheese and sour cream blend, and topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella cheese, this recipe is the epitome of hearty Italian-inspired comfort food. Seasoned with aromatic garlic, onion, Italian herbs, and a hint of crushed red pepper, every forkful delivers a satisfying combination of zesty, creamy, and cheesy goodness. Ready in just under an hour, this crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for feeding a family or even meal prepping for the week. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness, and serve alongside garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Then drain excess fat.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the cooked spaghetti evenly over the sauce in the dish.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer.
Add another layer with the remaining spaghetti, followed by pouring the rest of the meat sauce over the top.
Finish with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the 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 is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Calories |
3365 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 224.1 g | 287% | |
| Saturated Fat | 105.6 g | 528% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 662 mg | 221% | |
| Sodium | 5692 mg | 247% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 170.9 g | 62% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.1 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.1 g | ||
| Protein | 168.8 g | 338% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 2316 mg | 178% | |
| Iron | 18.7 mg | 104% | |
| Potassium | 2004 mg | 43% | |
*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.