Description
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a comforting twist on classic pasta casserole. Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly satisfying, it blends tender spaghetti noodles with a rich cream cheese sauce, marinara, and a melty topping. Perfect for cozy family dinners or make-ahead potlucks, this easy recipe delivers familiar flavors with a luscious, velvety texture.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- Water for boiling
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the spaghetti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Mix the Pasta and Cream: While the noodles are still warm, gently toss them with the cream cheese mixture until all strands are coated evenly.
- Prepare the Sauce (Optional): If using ground beef or sausage, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until browned, then drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and heat through. If skipping the meat, just warm the sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread half of the sauced meat (or plain marinara) in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the creamy spaghetti on top, then layer with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the dish is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add sautéed onions or bell peppers to the meat sauce.
- Substitute with gluten-free spaghetti for a gluten-free version.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a different cheesy finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
