Description
Creamy cheese spaghetti combines classic Italian pasta with rich, tangy cream cheese for an irresistible dinner. Home cooks can quickly prepare this comforting meal that delivers hearty flavor and satisfying texture you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 package (8 oz/227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 lb (454 g) spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and ready a spacious baking dish for the culinary assembly.
- Pasta Foundation: Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente, drain completely, and set aside. Meanwhile, whisk cream cheese and sour cream into a smooth, luxurious blend.
- Meat Infusion: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until fully cooked, eliminating excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, simmering for 5 minutes to intensify flavor profiles.
- Layering Technique: Construct the first stratum by spreading half the spaghetti across the baking dish. Distribute cream cheese mixture evenly, followed by a generous coating of seasoned beef sauce. Sprinkle a lavish layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Final Assembly: Repeat layering process with remaining ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and balanced distribution of components.
- Baking Transformation: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, appetizing crust that bubbles with enticing aromas.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose al dente spaghetti to maintain a slight firmness and prevent mushy texture during baking.
- Fat Management: Thoroughly drain beef fat to prevent greasy, heavy dish and ensure clean, robust flavors.
- Cheese Distribution: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly to create consistent, creamy layers throughout the casserole.
- Temperature Control: Let dish rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 408
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg