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Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese Recipe

4.6 from 99 reviews

This hearty Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese combines tender spaghetti noodles with a creamy, flavorful blend of cream cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Layered with savory ground beef and pasta sauce, then baked until bubbly and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting and delicious twist on classic spaghetti casserole perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti and Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 1 lb Spaghetti noodles
  • 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp Minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp Garlic salt
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 28 oz Pasta sauce

Toppings

  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the spaghetti noodles. Cook until al dente as per package instructions. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  3. Brown Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
  4. Add Pasta Sauce to Beef: Reduce heat to low and stir in the pasta sauce with the browned ground beef. Simmer briefly and set the meat sauce aside.
  5. Mix Spaghetti with Cream Cheese and Seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, combine the hot cooked spaghetti with softened cream cheese, minced garlic, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until the cream cheese has melted and the mixture is evenly combined.
  6. Layer Baking Dish: Spread a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then add the cream cheese spaghetti mixture evenly over the meat sauce layer.
  7. Add Remaining Sauce: Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top of the spaghetti mixture, spreading it evenly.
  8. Top with Cheeses: Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly over the entire casserole.
  9. Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the cheeses are melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Notes

  • For best results, use full-fat cream cheese to ensure a creamy texture.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef for a lighter version.
  • Leftover baked spaghetti can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Feel free to add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for improved flavor over pre-grated store-bought options.

Keywords: baked spaghetti, cream cheese spaghetti, casserole, ground beef pasta, easy family dinner, Italian American recipe