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Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

This baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole is a creamy and comforting dish, perfect for a weeknight meal. It combines spaghetti, a rich cream cheese sauce, ground beef, and a bubbly mozzarella topping for a satisfying and flavorful experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning beef

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • skillet
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Mixing spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  3. In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, marinara sauce, browned ground beef, Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture and toss to coat evenly.
  6. Pour the spaghetti mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
  9. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

To prevent a grainy sauce, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. Undercooking the spaghetti slightly (al dente) will prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. For a richer flavor, use freshly grated mozzarella instead of pre-shredded. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to the ground beef while browning.