Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is the kind of soul-warming, ultra-creamy pasta bake that just begs to be shared with the people you love most. With strands of spaghetti tangled in a velvety cream cheese sauce and layered under savory marinara and melty cheese, every bite feels comforting and indulgent. This is the dish to make when you want a weeknight dinner that’s easy yet impressive, or when you need to bring a guaranteed crowd-pleaser to a potluck. Once you’ve tried Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients to create serious magic with Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. Each component, from the bright marinara to the luscious cream cheese, plays an important role in building up layers of flavor, creamy textures, and tempting color. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and why you’ll love having each one on hand.
- Spaghetti (12 oz): Classic pasta shape for a reason! Spaghetti stands up well to creamy sauces and creates a fun, familiar texture.
- Olive Oil (1 tbsp): Adds a hint of richness and helps brown the meat for extra savory flavor.
- Ground Beef or Italian Sausage (1 lb): The foundation of heartiness—choose beef for a classic flavor or sausage for a little spice.
- Small Onion, Diced: Onion’s sweetness transforms as it cooks, rounding out the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic, Minced (2 cloves): Just a little bit makes the whole dish smell and taste absolutely irresistible.
- Marinara or Pasta Sauce (1 jar, 24 oz): The sauce ties everything together—pick your favorite brand for a signature twist.
- Cream Cheese, Softened (8 oz): The real star! This gives the spaghetti its unforgettable creamy texture.
- Sour Cream (1/2 cup): Adds tangy silkiness for that next-level luscious bite.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup): Melty, gooey magic—you’ll love those cheesy golden edges!
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup): Brings a nutty, salty punch to the casserole’s topping.
- Italian Seasoning (1 tsp): A quick way to layer bold, herby flavor throughout the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste for perfect balance in every forkful.
- Chopped Parsley (optional): A sprinkle on top for a pop of freshness and color.
How to Make Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Step 1: Prep and Boil the Pasta
Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in the spaghetti and cook until it’s perfectly al dente—tender, but still with a little bit of bite. Drain well and set aside. This step is super simple, but don’t overcook the pasta, since it’ll keep cooking as it bakes in the cream cheese mixture later.
Step 2: Brown the Meat and Build Flavor
While the pasta’s bubbling away, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef or sausage, along with the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté everything until the meat turns a lovely golden brown and the onion is soft and translucent. Browning here is key—it builds the foundation for a savory, umami-rich flavor that you’ll taste all the way through the Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. Once done, drain any excess fat to keep things rich, not greasy.
Step 3: Simmer with Sauce and Spices
Pour in the marinara or pasta sauce and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about five minutes. This blends the flavors and thickens the sauce just a bit. Remove the pan from the heat—
it’s time for the magic to happen.
Step 4: Coat the Pasta in Creamy Goodness
In a large bowl, add your drained spaghetti, softened cream cheese, and sour cream. Mix until the noodles are evenly cloaked in that dreamy, silky mixture. Add a little salt and pepper here, tasting as you go. This creamy base is what transforms this from a simple pasta bake into the showstopping Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti.
Step 5: Layer and Assemble
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread half of your savory meat sauce along the bottom. Next, layer on the cream cheese-coated spaghetti, distributing it as evenly as you can. Finally, top with the remaining meat sauce and scatter both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top for that signature bubbly, golden finish.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the whole dish into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and deliciously browned, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Let everything rest for about five minutes after pulling it out of the oven—this makes it easier to slice and serve, while helping all those dreamy flavors meld together. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy!
How to Serve Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Garnishes
A generous dusting of chopped fresh parsley offers freshness and color atop the creamy layers of Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. Cracked black pepper, an extra grating of Parmesan, or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can also make each serving pop with flavor and personality.
Side Dishes
You really don’t need much alongside this rich, satisfying casserole, but a crisp green salad dressed in something tart and zippy balances out the creamy richness. Warm garlic bread or even a simple roasted veggie medley are perfect partners, helping round out the plate without overshadowing the star attraction.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn family dinner up a notch by baking individual portions of Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti in ramekins for a personalized touch. For potlucks, cut neat squares for serving or add a sprinkle of fresh basil for an herby vibe. Leftovers actually make amazing next-day lunches; pack slices into meal-prep containers for an office meal that’ll spark envy!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (you lucky thing!), store Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors get even more cozy and delicious as they mingle overnight, and it’s honestly hard not to sneak a midnight forkful.
Freezing
This recipe freezes like a dream. Simply let your casserole cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Freeze for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating—this helps everything heat evenly and keeps the texture irresistibly creamy.
Reheating
To bring Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti back to steamy, melty perfection, reheat covered in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until piping hot. For individual servings, a quick zap in the microwave works great—add a splash of water or sauce to keep everything moist and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Spaghetti is classic, but feel free to swap in penne, rigatoni, or any pasta shape that catches sauce well. Choose what you love or have on hand—the creamy sauce clings beautifully to so many shapes.
Is there a lighter version of this recipe?
Yes! You can lighten things up by using ground turkey or chicken in place of beef, or opt for a plant-based ground “meat” for a vegetarian twist. Light cream cheese and reduced-fat sour cream also work well, and the dish still comes out creamy and indulgent.
How do I avoid overcooked spaghetti in the bake?
Cook your spaghetti just until al dente, then drain it promptly. Since the noodles get baked in a creamy sauce, they’ll continue to cook a bit in the oven, so a slightly firmer texture at the start means perfect texture at the end.
Can I prepare this ahead and bake later?
Definitely! Assemble the entire Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s wonderfully make-ahead friendly for holidays and busy nights.
What’s the best way to make this dish gluten-free?
Just substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta for the spaghetti. As long as you use a gluten-free marinara sauce as well, Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is totally adaptable for those avoiding gluten without any loss in flavor or texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving ultimate comfort and a big dose of cheesy happiness, you absolutely have to try Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti. It’s a dish that brings people together, delivers on every creamy, savory promise, and never fails to get rave reviews. Give it a go and make it your own—you might just find your new favorite weeknight dinner or potluck hit!
Print
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a comforting and creamy twist on classic spaghetti with this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti recipe. Layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a decadent cream cheese mixture, topped with gooey cheeses, all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Cheese Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare meat sauce: In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix cream cheese spaghetti: In a bowl, combine cooked spaghetti with cream cheese and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer the dish: Spread half of the meat sauce in a baking dish. Layer with cream cheese spaghetti, remaining sauce, and top with cheeses.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead and bake when ready.
- Substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dish
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
