Description
Make dinner unforgettable with this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole—a comforting, cheesy, and creamy pasta bake perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, easy meal prep, or feeding a crowd! With tender spaghetti, savory meat sauce, tangy cream cheese, and a golden cheesy topping, this easy recipe is the ultimate in family-friendly comfort food ideas. Whether you need dinner ideas, easy recipes, or something delicious to serve at your next gathering, this casserole is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti noodles
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook spaghetti noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add ground beef or sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
5. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
6. While the pasta is still warm, toss it with softened cream cheese in a large bowl until the noodles are evenly coated and creamy.
7. Spread half of the cream cheese spaghetti in the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat layers with remaining spaghetti and sauce.
8. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
10. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce.
Make ahead by assembling the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerating before baking.
Leftovers store well—cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze portions for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: baked spaghetti, easy dinner, casserole, pasta bake, quick dinner, comfort food, make-ahead, creamy pasta