Layered Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Bowl (Print version)
Tender spaghetti layered with cream cheese, savory meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then baked until bubbly and golden.
# Ingredients:
For the pasta
01 -
12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
02 -
1 tablespoon kosher salt, for the pasta water
03 -
1/2 cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
For the meat sauce
04 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
05 -
1 lb (450 g) ground beef or mild Italian sausage
06 -
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce
09 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 -
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the creamy layer
12 -
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened and cubed
13 -
1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
14 -
1/3 cup (35 g) grated Parmesan cheese
15 -
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For topping
16 -
1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
17 -
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
18 -
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat the oven to 375°F. Boil the spaghetti in salted water until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain without rinsing.
02 -
Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef or sausage and onion, then cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
03 -
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add marinara, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 5 minutes.
04 -
In a large bowl, stir softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, salt, and 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water until mostly smooth. Add hot spaghetti and toss until coated, adding more pasta water if needed.
05 -
Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish or deep 8 inch square dish. Add the creamy spaghetti, spoon the remaining meat sauce over the top, then cover with mozzarella and Parmesan.
06 -
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more, until bubbly and lightly browned. Rest 10 minutes, then sprinkle with parsley and serve.
# Good to know:
01 -
Rest 10 minutes before serving for cleaner scoops.
02 -
Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the cream cheese mixture is too thick to toss.
03 -
Use a deep baking dish so the layers stay distinct.