Description
The Ultimate Baked Spaghetti is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring tender spaghetti mixed with a creamy egg and parmesan blend, layered with a luscious cream cheese and sour cream mixture, savory Italian sausage in rich spaghetti sauce, and topped with bubbling melted mozzarella cheese. This dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, offering a delicious twist on traditional spaghetti with a creamy, cheesy baked finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Mixture
- 16 oz thin spaghetti
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 5 tbsp butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
Meat Sauce Layer
- 1 lb Italian sausage or hamburger, cooked
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook Spaghetti and Mix with Egg Mixture: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss this mixture with the drained spaghetti to coat the pasta evenly. Then, place this coated spaghetti into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth and well blended. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the spaghetti in the baking dish, creating a rich layer.
- Add Meat Sauce Layer: In a bowl, mix the cooked Italian sausage or hamburger with the jar of spaghetti sauce. Spread this meat sauce mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer in the baking dish.
- Top with Mozzarella and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the meat sauce layer. Bake the assembled spaghetti casserole in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add chopped onions or bell peppers to the meat sauce mixture.
- Use fresh garlic instead of minced garlic from a jar for a stronger garlic flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Let the baked spaghetti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set and make slicing easier.
