Description
Creamy Spaghetti Bake Delight brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with layers of rich pasta, velvety cheese, and savory sauce. This hearty casserole promises a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth and flavor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound (453 grams) lean ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
Dairy Ingredients:
- 1 8-ounce (226 grams) package cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 26-ounce (737 grams) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), positioning the rack in the center. Generously coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking vessel with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, crumble and sauté the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small fragments. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to rich brown, approximately 7-9 minutes. Meticulously drain accumulated fat using a colander.
- Return the skillet to the stove and introduce spaghetti sauce into the cooked beef. Stir thoroughly, allowing the flavors to meld and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Simultaneously, fill a capacious pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge spaghetti and cook according to package recommendations until perfectly tender yet firm, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain pasta, reserving the pot.
- Within the same pot, combine cooked spaghetti with softened cream cheese, freshly minced garlic, and aromatic Italian seasoning. Gently fold ingredients until cream cheese completely dissolves and uniformly coats each pasta strand.
- Craft the initial foundation by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce across the baking dish’s bottom. Delicately arrange the cream-infused spaghetti atop this sauce, then lavishly cover with remaining meat sauce.
- Generously sprinkle grated parmesan cheese across the surface, ensuring even distribution. Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the edges bubble enthusiastically and the cheese develops a tempting golden-brown hue. Remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Creamy comfort food that combines classic spaghetti with a rich, cheesy twist perfect for family dinners.
- Ensure ground beef is fully browned and drained to prevent excess grease and maintain a clean, robust flavor profile.
- Cream cheese creates an unexpected silky texture that transforms traditional spaghetti into a luxurious baked casserole.
- Grated parmesan adds a delightful golden crust and sharp, salty finish when baked until slightly crispy.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for 15-20 minutes to maintain the original texture.
- Make-ahead friendly dish that can be assembled earlier and refrigerated before baking, perfect for busy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg