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If you’re craving a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal, this Creamy Baked Spaghetti Casserole is exactly what you need. It combines layers of tender spaghetti, seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese filling, and plenty of melty Italian-blend cheese for a dish that satisfies every time. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner, a potluck, or a family gathering, this baked spaghetti is a guaranteed hit.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make this recipe, along with tips, variations, and serving ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Layers of Flavor: The combination of seasoned beef, marinara, creamy cheeses, and Italian seasoning packs every bite with rich flavor.
- Perfect for Feeding a Crowd: This recipe easily serves a family or group and is simple to double for larger gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake when ready.
- Customizable: Swap in different cheeses, add vegetables, or make it spicy with crushed red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter, divided
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder (for boiling pasta)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- A pinch of salt
- 1 (24-oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (8-oz) container cottage cheese
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 (8-oz) package shredded Italian-blend cheese (2 cups), divided
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 2- to 3-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the water with a little salt and stir in 1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder to infuse extra flavor into the pasta. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until browned—about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any grease. Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef and remove from heat.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Cheese Layer
In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Stir until smooth and creamy. Fold in 1 cup of the shredded Italian-blend cheese to enrich the mixture with extra cheesiness.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread half of the cooked spaghetti evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti and gently spread it across the surface.
- Sprinkle a layer of the remaining shredded Italian-blend cheese over the cheese mixture for added flavor.
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese layers.
- Cut the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter into pieces and dot them across the spaghetti layer.
- Spread the beef and marinara mixture evenly over the top.
- Finish with the remaining shredded Italian-blend cheese for a perfect cheesy crust.
Step 6: Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips for the Best Baked Spaghetti
- Boost Flavor: Add minced garlic or chopped onions to the beef while it cooks for an extra savory boost.
- Cheese Variations: Try mozzarella, provolone, or a sharp cheddar blend for a different cheese profile.
- Make it Spicy: A dash of crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper in the beef mixture adds a nice kick.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers can be layered in for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking.
What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Garlic Bread or Texas Toast
- A simple green salad with Italian dressing
- Roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans
- A glass of red wine or iced tea
- A side of antipasto or marinated olives
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the fully assembled but unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Reheating: Reheat portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Creamy Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter divided
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder for boiling pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- A pinch of salt
- 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce
- 1 8-oz container cottage cheese
- 1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 8-oz package shredded Italian-blend cheese (2 cups), divided
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2- to 3-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and stir in 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef with Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the marinara sauce and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Stir until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of the shredded Italian-blend cheese.
- Spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the cheese mixture over the spaghetti and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle a layer of Italian-blend cheese on top.
- Add the remaining spaghetti on top.
- Slice the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and dot over the spaghetti.
- Spread the beef and marinara mixture evenly on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded Italian-blend cheese over everything.
- Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until bubbly and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven, let rest a few minutes, then garnish with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
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This was “GREAT” AB! I used ground turkey in place of the ground hamburger and the flavor was still fire! Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!