🍝 Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort-food pasta bake—layers of tender spaghetti, creamy seasoned cream cheese sauce, rich meat marinara, and gooey melted cheese baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour
• Servings: 8

Ingredients

Pasta Layer

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Meat Sauce

• 1½ pounds ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cheese Topping

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

---

Instructions

1. Cook the Spaghetti

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cook spaghetti in salted water until just al dente.
• Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

In a bowl, mix:

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Butter
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Stir until smooth.

Toss the warm spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until evenly coated.

3. Make the Meat Sauce

• Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet.
• Add onion and cook until softened.
• Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add marinara sauce, tomatoes, and seasonings.
• Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Assemble the Casserole

In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish:

1. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture.
2. Add half of the meat sauce.
3. Repeat layers.
4. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

5. Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

Let rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.

---

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

🥖 Garlic bread
🥗 Caesar salad
🥦 Roasted broccoli
🍅 Caprese salad
🍷 Italian-style vegetables

---

Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Spaghetti Bake

• Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother sauce.
• Slightly undercook the spaghetti before baking so it doesn’t become mushy.
• Add cooked spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra flavor.
• A mix of mozzarella and Parmesan gives the best cheesy crust.

---

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) or microwave until warm.

---

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 620
• Protein: 32 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fat: 34 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sodium: 980 mg

Variations

🍗 Chicken Cream Cheese Spaghetti: Replace beef with shredded chicken and add broccoli.
🌶️ Spicy Version: Use hot Italian sausage and extra chili flakes.
🥓 Loaded Version: Add crispy turkey bacon and extra cheese.
🧀 Extra Creamy: Add ½ cup Alfredo sauce to the cream cheese layer.

This casserole is rich, creamy, cheesy, and satisfying—the perfect combination of classic spaghetti flavors with a luxurious cream cheese twist. 🍝🧀