Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese

This Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese recipe is the perfect blend of comfort food and cheesy goodness. The cream cheese adds a richness to the sauce that takes it over the top, while the baked spaghetti makes it a hearty meal that will fill you up.

Best of all, it’s easy to make! Just boil the pasta, mix it with the sauce, and bake it in the oven.

So if you’re looking for a delicious and easy dinner option, give this Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese a try!

The cream cheese gives the pasta a rich, creamy texture, while the garlic and Parmesan add a delicious depth of flavor. And of course, there’s plenty of spaghetti for twirling and slurping. 

So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

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What do I love about this recipe?

This recipe is a delicious creamy spaghetti recipe that is bursting with fresh ingredients. The cream cheese paired with the spaghetti sauce really compliments each other nicely.

You will find this is a lot more flavorful than a classic spaghetti recipe.

What is the difference between baked pasta and normal pasta?

Baked pasta is where you bake it in the oven, and normal pasta will you cook the pasta on the stovetop and then add the sauce to it.

You will find baked pasta has a more dense texture than a classic pasta dish.

Can I add/remove/substitute ingredients?

Absolutely! Feel free to leave out the cream cheese, or swap out the cheese for a different flavor of cheese. Cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey jack, etc.

Feel free to play around with ingredients and create a pasta dish you like best.

Tips

• If you find that your sauce seems to be a little dry you can add a bit more sauce or even a splash of water to help add moisture back to the dish.
• Make sure to use room temperature cream cheese so it mixes easier with the pasta.
• Cook your pasta till al dente. Don’t overcook pasta in dish or it will become mushy in the pasta bake.

Ingredients:

• Garlic salt
• Ground beef
• Minced garlic
• Spaghetti noodles
• Italian seasoning
• Pasta sauce
• Parmesan cheese grated
• Cream cheese softened
• Mozzarella cheese shredded

How to make Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese:

Step 1. Add the spaghetti to boiling water, and cook until al dente. Drain well. 

Step 2. Heat the oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9×13 baking dish well. 

Step 3. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, and drain the excess grease. 

Step 4. Reduce the heat, and stir in the pasta sauce. Set aside. 

Step 5. Add the hot spaghetti to a large mixing bowl with the cream cheese, minced garlic, garlic salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine until the cheese has melted. 

Step 6. Layer some of the meat sauce in the baking dish. 

Step 7. Top with spaghetti. 

Step 8. Add the remaining sauce to the top of the spaghetti. 

Step 9. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Then, add the Mozzarella cheese. 

Step 10. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.

THANKS FOR PINING!

Do you need some bread with your spaghetti?

You do not have to serve a side of great as a side when you eat spaghetti. If you would like go right ahead but know it can be served alone or paired with some vegetables or even a nice light salad with dressing.

Consider serving the spaghetti with this cheesy garlic bread. They will pair nicely together.

How do you make spaghetti taste more flavorful?

You will find that adding extra spices, herbs, or even taco seasoning can elevate the sauce. But then when you add in the cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan it truly transforms the flavor of this pasta dish to a whole new level.

Gluten-Free Version

If you want to make a gluten-free version of this loaded spaghetti, simply reach for gluten-free pasta. Then everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free. Cook the recipe the same, just follow the pasta directions for cooking the spaghetti noodles.

Do you have to defrost frozen pasta bake?

No, if you freeze the pasta bake you can heat it up in the oven straight from being frozen. Just simply place in a cold oven and turn it on. Let the dish stay covered with foil for 30 minutes as it cooks. Then remove foil and finish baking until it is warmed through.

Do I need to cover my baked ziti in the oven?

You do not have to cover your baked ziti in the oven. Now depending on the recipe you are following then you might if it says too.

But in general, you want the pasta and cheese to bake fully and get a nice golden color on the outside.

Variations

• Use a different type of pasta for this recipe. Rigatoni, penne, etc.
• Instead of pasta sauce swap with marinara sauce.
• Use Ricotta cheese to mix with pasta instead of cream cheese.
• Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.

How to store this recipe?

If you have leftovers store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You will want to store it for up to three days.

Can I freeze baked spaghetti with cream cheese?

Go right ahead and freeze the baked spaghetti with cream cheese if you would like. Just place it in a freezer-friendly container and freeze it for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or reheat straight from being frozen in the oven.

Does this dish reheat well?

You will find the pasta recipe does reheat well. The only thing is at times it can dry out a bit once it has been refrigerated. As the pasta soaks up the sauce quite a bit. But the flavor will be just as good as night one.

More spaghetti recipes?

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole – Warm, cheesy, and absolutely delicious.

Taco Spaghetti – It’s simple to make and perfect for a busy weeknight.

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole – The perfect lightened-up comfort food meal!