Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Description: This Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and indulgent dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal. With layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and tender spaghetti, every bite is a delight. Plan ahead, as this casserole needs to sit in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Recipe Category: Spaghetti
Keywords: Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 575.8
- Fat Content: 32.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 17.9g
- Cholesterol Content: 135.7mg
- Sodium Content: 775.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 33.4g
- Fiber Content: 2.4g
- Sugar Content: 4.2g
- Protein Content: 36g
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1-2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1-2 cloves garlic (optional)
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup cream-style cottage cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/3 cup chopped green onion
- 2 green peppers, diced
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2-3 cups grated mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Set oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). |
| 2. | Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter or cooking spray. |
| 3. | In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese and add minced garlic, if using. Cook until beef is no longer pink; drain off any excess fat. |
| 4. | Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat and set aside. |
| 5. | In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cream-style cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, chopped scallions, chopped green onion, and diced green peppers. Mix well to combine. |
| 6. | Spread half of the cooked and drained spaghetti evenly into the prepared casserole dish. |
| 7. | Spoon the creamy cheese mixture over the spaghetti layer, spreading it out evenly. |
| 8. | Layer the remaining spaghetti on top of the cheese mixture. Drizzle the melted butter over the spaghetti layer. |
| 9. | Pour the tomato and meat sauce over the top layer of spaghetti, spreading it evenly with a spatula. |
| 10. | Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together. |
| 11. | Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking. |
| 12. | Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly throughout. |
| 13. | If desired, sprinkle 1-2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole during the last 15 minutes of baking for an extra cheesy topping. |
| 14. | Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the cheesy goodness! |
This Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole is sure to become a family favorite with its rich flavors and comforting texture. Serve it alongside a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this casserole is guaranteed to impress! 🍝🧀
