Cathy's Favorite Spaghetti Casserole

Dive into pure comfort food bliss with Cathy’s Favorite Spaghetti Casserole, a hearty, baked dish that combines classic Italian flavors with a creamy, indulgent twist. This recipe features layers of tender spaghetti, a rich meaty marinara sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, and a luscious cream cheese and sour cream blend for an extra velvety texture. Topped with bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings. Ready in just about an hour, including prep and bake time, this easy-to-make spaghetti casserole is both satisfying and versatile. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. It’s comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, draining any excess grease.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes to combine flavors. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Layer the casserole dish as follows: start with half of the cooked spaghetti noodles on the bottom, followed by half of the cream cheese mixture spread evenly, half of the meat sauce, and then half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers with the remaining ingredients.

Step 8

Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 10

Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes to set before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy the delicious flavors of Cathy’s Favorite Spaghetti Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2561.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4296.7

Total Fat 241.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 121.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 767.6mg	0%
Sodium 6499.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 334.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.0g	0%
Total Sugars 57.4g
Protein 217.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2628.8mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 3206.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.6%

Protein: 19.8%

Carbs: 30.6%