Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! A must-try comfort dish for easy dinners! 🍝✨
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- 9x13-inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked al dente
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp salt to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
- Sautéed mushrooms adds an earthy flavor
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain but do not rinse.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or chicken until browned. Drain excess fat and add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir well, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- While the spaghetti is still warm, mix in the softened cream cheese until evenly coated.
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the spaghetti mixture in the dish. Pour half of the meat sauce over it. Repeat with another layer of spaghetti and sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
This casserole is perfect for meal prep! You can assemble it ahead of time and bake when ready. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.