Easy and Amazing Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti!
My super easy to make Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! It’s so yummy and satisfying, especially when paired with warm garlic bread and a fresh, crisp salad. A true family favorite!
I love how simple this recipe is to throw together, especially for really busy weeknights. I usually make the casserole the night before, cover it with foil, and pop it in the fridge so that I can bake it the next day for a quick and effortless meal.
You’ll notice that this recipe shares some key attributes with other cheesy baked pasta dishes like my Spaghetti Pie, Greek Lasagna, and Creamy Chicken Spaghetti. My family loves this style of meal, and I make one of these at least once a month!
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this easy cheesy spaghetti casserole:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Spaghetti: Cook your spaghetti according to the package directions so that it’s al dente. Other pasta shapes can also be used here, but regular or thin spaghetti is classic.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90/20) will be cooked down with garlic and onions to create a savory, protein-packed base for our tomato sauce. I use a similar sauce to make lasagna, but this recipe is so much simpler than that!
- Marinara: Use your favorite jarred variety of marinara sauce here. One 24 ounce jar is the perfect amount. If you have homemade sauce on hand, you’ll want to use about 3 cups of it.
- Cream Cheese: Allow your cream cheese to soften at room temperature so that it’s easy to mix with sour cream and parmesan cheese to create the creamy layer of this casserole. Full-fat cream cheese is my choice for the perfect texture and flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Any good casserole will have a generous layer of melty cheese on top, and this one is no exception! Grate your mozzarella cheese fresh from a block rather than buying pre-shredded cheese.
How To Make Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
1: Cook Beef and Onions in olive oil in a large skillet until browned.
2: Add the Garlic and cook for just 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
3: Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar.
4: Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
5: Mix the Cream Sauce: Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
6: Add Cooked Spaghetti and ¼ cup of the water from the pasta pot to the cheese mixture.
7: Place half of the meat sauce into a lightly greased casserole dish.
8: Add all of the cheesy spaghetti mixture.
9: Top with the rest of the meat sauce.
10: Sprinkle the top of the casserole with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
11. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Tip!
Let the baked spaghetti casserole rest for at least 5 minutes before you cut into it. This gives the cheese sauce a chance to cool and it will be less runny and messy this way.
Recipe Tips
- Do not overcook the pasta. The spaghetti will continue to cook as it bakes in the oven, so it’s best to start with just slightly undercooked (or al dente) pasta.
- Soften the Cream Cheese. Cold cream cheese will be too difficult to mix into a smooth coating for the spaghetti. It’s also helpful to add the pasta to the cheese mixture while it is still warm from cooking.
- Save some pasta water! A little bit of the starchy water that you cooked the spaghetti in will help to loosen up the cheese sauce perfectly.
- Garnish the dish or individual servings with chopped fresh parsley for a beautiful presentation.
- Meal Prep: Make two pans of this casserole and keep one of them in the freezer. It will be ready and waiting for you the next time you want a delicious and simple meal.
Storing Tips
Leftovers: Keep your leftover baked spaghetti in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze Leftovers: For longer storage, freeze individual servings for up to 2 months.
Freezer Meal Instructions
This is an amazing make-ahead dish that stores well in the freezer!
- Assemble the casserole according to the recipe instructions, but don’t bake it just yet.
- Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, then foil. Add extra layers if needed.
- Thaw for at least 24 hours in the fridge before baking.
- Bake the thawed cream cheese spaghetti as directed, but add 10-20 minutes to the baking time to account for the ingredients being chilled.
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Variations
- Gluten Free: Use your favorite gluten free pasta! Be sure to choose one that can withstand baking, as some types of GF pasta can get mushy too quickly.
- Meatless: Omit the ground beef from the recipe, adding extra marinara sauce if needed to make up for the bulk that the meat adds.
- Other Protein: Instead of ground beef, make cream cheese spaghetti with ground turkey or ground chicken. For an extra flavorful dish, use ground Italian sausage.
- Extra Veggies: Add a layer of sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to your baked spaghetti with cream cheese.
Questions and Answers about This Cream Cheese Spaghetti Bake
Can I make a low-carb version of Spaghetti baked with cream cheese?
I haven’t experimented with this recipe yet, but I think you could definitely replace the spaghetti with your favorite keto or low-carb pasta alternatives.
Try it with spiralized veggies or cauliflower rice.
Can I make baked cream cheese spaghetti with low-fat dairy?
I don’t generally recommend cooking with low-fat cream cheese. It has a different texture than regular cream cheese and a flavor that I just don’t enjoy.
Is there another name for this recipe?
I’ve heard of people calling this one “Million Dollar Spaghetti”, which I think is totally a fitting title. Baking spaghetti with a cream cheese sauce takes it to a decadent and luxurious new level!
More Baked Pasta Recipes
Easier than making a big pan of lasagna, but just as satisfying and delicious! Your family is going to love this cheesy, creamy spaghetti bake so much. Pin it now so that you can find it when you’re ready!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Recipe Video
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Large skillet
- Mixing Bowls
- 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or 7×11-inch (18×28 cm)
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (90/10)
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 24 ounces (680 g) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
For the Spaghetti & Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 8 ounces (225 g) spaghetti
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved pasta water
For Topping:
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until just al dente, then reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Stir in the reserved pasta water, then toss with the cooked spaghetti until evenly coated.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Spread half of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Layer all of the spaghetti mixture on top, then spread the remaining meat sauce over it. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve with garlic bread or a side salad.
Notes:
- Do not overcook the pasta. The spaghetti will continue to cook as it bakes in the oven, so it’s best to start with just slightly undercooked (or al dente) pasta.
- Save some pasta water! A little bit of the starchy water that you cooked the spaghetti in will help to loosen up the cheese sauce perfectly.
- Garnish the dish or individual servings with chopped fresh parsley for a beautiful presentation.
- Meal Prep: Make two pans of this casserole and keep one of them in the freezer. It will be ready and waiting for you the next time you want a delicious and simple meal.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
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