Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

By Muhammad Faizan

Description

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is the perfect comfort-food casserole: creamy, cheesy, savory pasta coated in a rich cream-cheese sauce and topped with a flavorful meat-and-marinara layer plus melty mozzarella. It’s easy to assemble, family-friendly, and ideal for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

For the Pasta Layer

  • 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti

  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup sour cream (optional but adds richness)

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

  • Salt & pepper to taste

For the Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage

  • 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed for browning)

  • ½ onion, diced (optional)

  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

For Baking

  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

  • Parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Spaghetti

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

  2. Cook spaghetti until al dente (1 minute less than package directions).

  3. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Pasta Base

  1. In a large bowl, combine:

    • cream cheese

    • sour cream (if using)

    • garlic

    • Parmesan

    • Italian seasoning

    • salt & pepper

  2. Stir until smooth (microwave 10–15 seconds if cream cheese is too stiff).

  3. Add drained spaghetti and toss to coat evenly.

3. Make the Meat Sauce

  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Add ground beef or sausage and onion; cook until browned.

  3. Drain excess fat.

  4. Pour in marinara sauce and stir in crushed red pepper if using.

  5. Simmer 5 minutes.

4. Assemble

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.

  3. Spread the cream-cheese-coated spaghetti in the dish.

  4. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top.

  5. Sprinkle with mozzarella.

5. Bake

  • Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.

6. Serve

  • Let rest 5 minutes.

  • Garnish with chopped parsley.

  • Enjoy warm!

Servings

6–8 servings

Notes

  • Using Italian sausage adds lots of flavor—consider half sausage, half beef.

  • If your sauce is thick, add ¼ cup pasta water to loosen it.

  • You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate—just add 5–10 minutes to baking time.

  • Great make-ahead freezer meal: assemble, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months.

Tips for Best Results

  • Don’t overcook the pasta: slightly firm noodles keep their texture in the oven.

  • Soften cream cheese fully—it mixes smoother and coats the pasta evenly.

  • Use a flavorful marinara: the sauce is key to the final taste.

  • Add veggies: mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach work well.

  • For extra creaminess, mix ¼–½ cup heavy cream into the marinara.

Nutritional Information (approx. per serving, 8 servings)

  • Calories: ~520

  • Protein: 27g

  • Fat: 28g

  • Carbohydrates: 44g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Sugar: 7g

  • Sodium: 880mg

(Nutrition varies with specific ingredients.)

Benefits

  • High-protein meal thanks to meat and cheese.

  • Kid-friendly and picky-eater-approved.

  • Easy to customize with veggies, different sauces, or proteins.

  • Freezer-friendly and ideal for meal prep.

  • Crowd-pleaser suitable for gatherings and potlucks.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

1. Can I make this without meat?

Yes! Replace the meat sauce with marinara only, or add sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.

2. Can I use other pasta shapes?

Absolutely—linguine, penne, or rotini all work well.

3. Can I substitute low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, but the sauce will be less rich and slightly thinner.

4. How long does it keep?

  • Refrigerator: 3–4 days

  • Freezer: Up to 3 months

5. How do I reheat leftovers?

  • Oven: 300°F for 15–20 minutes

  • Microwave: 1–2 minutes per portion

6. Can I make it spicy?

Add crushed red pepper, spicy marinara, or hot Italian sausage.

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