Description

This Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is a delightful blend of flavors with tender pasta, creamy cheese, and savory beef—all baked to perfection for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil plus an additional 2-3 teaspoons
1 pound ground beef
1½ teaspoons italian seasoning blend, divided
½ teaspoon salt plus additional for salted pasta water
¼ teaspoon black pepper
3 cups jarred marinara sauce (28-ounce jar)
½ pound spaghetti noodles
8 ounces block style cream cheese, cubed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
8 ounces block whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh parsley, finely chopped

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick oil spray.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, ground beef, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
Stir in marinara sauce with the cooked beef and simmer on low for 10 minutes while cooking pasta. Remove from heat.
Cook spaghetti noodles in boiling salted water for 9-11 minutes until al dente, as per package directions, then drain.
In a bowl, combine drained spaghetti with cream cheese, remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and garlic powder, mixing until smooth. If pasta is sticky, use olive oil to coat.
Spread 1 cup of meat sauce at the bottom of the baking dish.
Layer the spaghetti noodles over the sauce, then top with the remaining meat sauce.
Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, remove foil, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

For a little extra flavor, consider adding sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce.
Feel free to use gluten-free spaghetti if desired.
Make this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating before baking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 600
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 85mg