Description
The Ultimate Baked Spaghetti is a comforting Italian-American casserole dish featuring tender spaghetti tossed with a savory egg and parmesan mixture, layered with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic, topped with flavorful Italian sausage and rich mozzarella cheese, then baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This recipe is perfect for a hearty family meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Mixture
- 16 oz thin spaghetti
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 5 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Creamy Layer
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb Italian sausage or hamburger, cooked
- 1 (24-oz) jar spaghetti sauce
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Cook Spaghetti and Mix Eggs: Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss this mixture with the cooked spaghetti to evenly coat the pasta. Transfer the coated spaghetti into the prepared baking pan.
- Create Creamy Layer: In a separate bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, softened cream cheese, and sour cream until smooth. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the spaghetti layer in the baking dish.
- Layer Sauce and Meat: Mix the cooked Italian sausage or hamburger with the jar of spaghetti sauce. Spread this meat sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer to create a rich, hearty topping.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the meat sauce layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, substitute mild Italian sausage or ground beef.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the creamy layer.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate; bake before serving, adding a few extra minutes to baking time if chilled.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top before serving.
- Use gluten-free spaghetti to make this recipe gluten-free if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: baked spaghetti, casserole, Italian sausage, creamy pasta bake, comfort food, mozzarella, spaghetti sauce
