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Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is a comforting, make-ahead meal perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks, offering a delightful twist on classic spaghetti with its rich, creamy sauce and savory blend of ingredients, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • fresh parsley optional
  • extra sour cream optional
  • chili flakes optional

Equipment

  • Large pot,
  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • Small Bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum Foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti well and set aside.
    1 pound spaghetti
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, 1 large onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the meat and onion mixture. Stir everything together to combine.
    1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and milk until smooth. Gradually stir the sour cream mixture into the tomato sauce in the skillet. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. Do not boil.
    1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk
  5. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the spaghetti.
    1 pound spaghetti, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  6. Spoon the remaining spaghetti mixture evenly over the first layer in the baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
    1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  7. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly golden.
  8. Let the Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the bake to set slightly, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or chili flakes, if desired.
    fresh parsley, extra sour cream, chili flakes

Notes

Storing and reheating tips are provided in the article but are not directly part of the recipe instructions. Consider adding them as separate notes or sections if desired.
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