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A full 9x13-inch casserole dish of Southern Spaghetti Bake fresh from the oven, with a golden-brown melted mozzarella cheese topping and bubbly meat sauce.

Southern Spaghetti Bake: The Ultimate Creamy Casserole

This Southern Spaghetti Bake is the ultimate comfort food casserole. Featuring a rich meat sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a secret creamy cheese layer, it's a guaranteed family favorite that's easy to make ahead.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
For the Pasta and Cheese Layers
  • 16 oz spaghetti
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Large Pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
  6. To assemble, spread half of the cooked spaghetti in the prepared baking dish. Top with the cream cheese mixture, spreading it evenly. Layer the remaining spaghetti on top.
  7. Pour the meat sauce over the spaghetti, ensuring it's fully covered. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
  9. Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

Tip 1: For the creamiest texture, use full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and cottage cheese.
Tip 2: Don't be afraid to season your meat sauce well. A well-seasoned sauce is key to a flavorful bake.
Tip 3: You can assemble the entire casserole a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate, then add a few extra minutes to the baking time.