Description
A delightful twist on traditional pasta dishes, this casserole combines creamy cream cheese with spaghetti for a rich and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, sautéing until softened, about 3-5 minutes. If adding ground beef or Italian sausage, incorporate it now and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, softened cream cheese, tomato sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Add the sautéed vegetables and meat mixture to the spaghetti mixture. Stir gently to combine. Pour into a greased baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg