This indulgent baked spaghetti casserole combines layers of hearty meat sauce, rich cream cheese filling, and melted cheese to create a dish that’s sinfully delicious and completely unforgettable. Perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later!
📝 Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 stick butter, sliced
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook the meat: In a skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste.
3️⃣ Make the creamy layer: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream until smooth.
4️⃣ Layer the dish:
- Place half the cooked spaghetti in the dish.
- Dot with slices of butter.
- Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti.
- Add the rest of the spaghetti on top.
- Pour meat sauce over the top evenly.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
5️⃣ Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
6️⃣ Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with garlic bread and a salad!
💡 Tips & Variations
- Use Italian sausage or ground turkey for variety.
- Add a dash of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Perfect make-ahead dish – refrigerate or freeze before baking.
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Ultra creamy + cheesy + hearty
✔️ Feeds a crowd or makes amazing leftovers
✔️ Classic flavors with a luxurious twist
✔️ Freezer-friendly and family-approved!
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