Description
Hearty Beef Spaghetti Bake melds Italian comfort with rich, cheesy goodness. Layers of pasta, ground beef, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal bringing families together at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- ½ cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 8-ounce (226 grams) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
- 1 26-ounce (737 grams) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the casserole.
- Meat Preparation: Sauté ground beef in a skillet until thoroughly browned, draining excess fat and blending with spaghetti sauce to craft a robust meat foundation.
- Pasta Integration: Boil spaghetti until al dente, then combine with cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic, stirring until the pasta becomes uniformly creamy and glistening.
- Dish Assembly: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading a thin meat sauce base to prevent sticking. Layer the cream-coated spaghetti evenly, then cascade the remaining meat sauce across the surface.
- Cheese Topping: Lavishly dust the casserole with grated parmesan, creating a delicate, golden-brown crust that promises a crisp, flavorful finish.
- Baking Finale: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, baking for 25-30 minutes until the surface bubbles and transforms into a golden, appetizing masterpiece.
Notes
- Cheese Tip: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, faster melting and easier mixing with hot spaghetti.
- Fat Management: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease and ensure a lighter, less oily casserole.
- Seasoning Secret: Adjust Italian seasoning and garlic to personal taste, allowing flexibility in flavor profile.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare entire dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg