Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender spaghetti, a creamy and tangy cream cheese sauce, savory marinara, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or potlucks, delivering bold flavors in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until evenly coated. Layer half of the spaghetti mixture in the baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti, meat sauce, and cheese.
6. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 8 servings):

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 6g