Baked Spaghetti With Cream Cheese Casserole
Not only is our baked spaghetti with cream cheese easy and ready in under 45 minutes, it’s also the best cheesy baked spaghetti casserole you’ll ever have! Layers of homemade meat sauce, pasta and a delicious creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream and mozzarella make this dish a favorite weekday dinner served with crusty garlic bread and a fresh salad.
Baked Spaghetti With Cream Cheese Casserole
Another popular name for this casserole is Million Dollar Spaghetti – it tastes like a million bucks but doesn't have to break the bank! Doubling the recipe will feed 12 – 16 people, and will probably cost less than $20 in supplies if you have the spices on hand.
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp Lawry's seasoning salt
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried ground oregano
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 4 oz tomato paste
- 6 – 8 oz tomato sauce (or tomato puree)
Remaining Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghettini or spaghetti pasta
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 oz sour cream
- 16 oz mozzarella shredded
- 1 tsp olive oil (or olive oil spray)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Lightly spray a 9×9 baking dish with olive oil, you can also coat the pan with olive oil, butter or a non-stick spray. Prepare the pasta according to directions.
- To make the meat sauce, add the ground beef to a heated cast iron skillet, sprinkling with seasoning salt. Cook the ground beef over medium heat, stirring to crumble the meat. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes, and drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce. Mix in the spices and heat gently until warmed, about 4 or 5 minutes.
- If necessary, use the microwave to soften the cream cheese (20 sec on HIGH). Combine sour cream and softened cream cheese.
- To assemble the casserole, begin by spooning a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Add a layer of pasta, then cream cheese mixture, a handful of shredded mozzarella, then meat sauce. Repeat layers, finishing the top with shredded cheese.
- Place into the oven and bake until heated through, and cheese is melted on top, about 15 – 20 minutes.
- This recipe can also be made in advance. Assemble layers in the casserole and refrigerate. Then, just pop it into a preheated 350º oven for 30 minutes to warm and serve.