Quick & Cozy Cheesy Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible cheesy baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Creamy, rich layers meld together in a delightful harmony of flavors and textures.

The dish combines classic pasta with a luxurious cream cheese base that melts into every strand.

Herbs and spices dance through the casserole, creating a symphony of taste that feels both familiar and exciting.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of cheesy goodness and hearty pasta.

Simple ingredients transform into a spectacular meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor a culinary masterpiece that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Cook Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Like a Pro

• Cook Spaghetti Noodles

Boil water in a large pot and toss in spaghetti. Cook until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.

• Create Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a skillet. Toss in chopped onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir quickly to release its aromatic.

• Whip Up Creamy Sauce

Blend cream cheese and sour cream into the skillet until silky smooth. Pour in crushed tomatoes and sprinkle Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer and dance with flavors for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to make it sing.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Fold the cooked spaghetti into the creamy sauce. Ensure every noodle gets a luxurious coating of the rich mixture.

• Prepare Baking Vessel

Warm the oven to 375F. Grease a baking dish and transfer the saucy pasta blend, spreading it evenly like a cozy blanket.

• Add Cheese Crown

Shower the top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Watch it transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and slightly crispy.

• Serve and Savor

Pull out the casserole and let it rest briefly. Sprinkle some fresh herbs on top for a burst of color and freshness. Dig in and enjoy your culinary creation!

Little Tweaks That Make Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Shine

• Mix the cream cheese at room temperature for a smoother, lump-free sauce that blends effortlessly with other ingredients.
• Swap traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lower-carb version that's equally delicious and nutritious.
• Enhance the dish by adding cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or shredded chicken to make it more filling and protein-packed.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by mixing in roasted bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for added flavor and texture without changing the core recipe.
• Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.

Serving Up Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole in Style

• Cheese Lover's Dream: Top the casserole with extra shredded mozzarella and fresh basil leaves for a gourmet touch that enhances the creamy texture and adds visual appeal.
• Hearty Family Feast: Serve alongside a crisp green salad and garlic bread to create a complete meal that satisfies everyone at the dinner table.
• Italian Inspired Plating: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes and freshly chopped parsley on top just before serving to add a pop of color and a hint of spicy warmth.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, creamy pasta with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio to balance the dish's flavors.

Smart Storage Tips for Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

• Prepare this casserole in double quantities and divide into individual portions for quick weeknight meals. Store extra servings in airtight containers for convenient grab-and-go dinners.
• Safely store leftovers in sealed containers for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture and prevent dryness.
• Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
• Assemble the entire dish a day before baking, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pop it directly into the preheated oven, adding a few extra minutes to ensure thorough heating.

FAQs

• Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole is excellent for meal prep. You can prepare it in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready to eat. It keeps well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Absolutely! While spaghetti works best, you can substitute with other pasta like fettuccine, penne, or rotini. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente before mixing with the sauce.

• How can I make this recipe more protein-rich?

Add cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or Italian sausage to the sauce before combining with pasta. These protein options blend perfectly with the creamy tomato sauce and enhance the overall flavor.

• Is this dish freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze this casserole before or after baking. If freezing before baking, cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 6

What You’ll Need for Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

• Spaghetti: Choose high-quality pasta that holds sauce beautifully and cooks to perfect al dente texture.
• Olive Oil: Adds silky smoothness and helps prevent pasta from sticking together during cooking.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps season pasta during boiling.

• Cream Cheese: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and adds rich tangy depth to the sauce.
• Sour Cream: Provides subtle tanginess and helps create smooth, luscious consistency.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Delivers vibrant, bright tomato flavor and adds moisture to the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Infuses classic herbal notes that complement the creamy base.
• Onion, Garlic: Builds aromatic foundation with deep, savory undertones.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and heightens all flavor profiles in the dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into irresistible stretchy layer with mild, creamy character.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty complexity and beautiful golden-brown crust.
• Fresh Herbs (Optional): Provides bright, fresh finishing touch with green color contrast.

Tool Checklist for Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling spaghetti and creating perfectly cooked pasta.
• Large Skillet: Key tool for sautéing onions, garlic, and creating the creamy sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for finely chopping onions and mincing garlic.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for grating mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Colander: Helps drain the cooked spaghetti quickly and efficiently.

Cheesy Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Spaghetti lovers will adore this creamy Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole that combines classic pasta with rich, tangy cheese. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a comforting meal that pulls you back for seconds.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• ½ cup (120 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (120 g) ricotta or cottage cheese
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse spaghetti in generously salted boiling water, cooking until tender. Drain completely and reserve for layering.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, releasing its fragrant essence. Blend cream cheese and sour cream into the skillet, creating a smooth base.
3. Sauce Fusion: Incorporate crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning into the skillet mixture. Simmer to meld flavors and develop a rich, creamy sauce that coats and enhances the pasta’s character.
4. Casserole Assembly: Meticulously combine cooked spaghetti with the velvety sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage. Transfer the dressed pasta to a prepared baking dish, spreading into an uniform layer.
5. Cheese Topping: Preheat oven to 375F. Generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan across the casserole surface, creating a potential golden, bubbling crust that promises textural complexity.
6. Baking Transformation: Slide the casserole into the heated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, with an optional broiler finish to achieve a crisp, caramelized cheese crown. Allow a brief resting period after removal.
7. Final Touch: Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil to introduce a vibrant, aromatic element before serving the completed dish.

Notes

Choose Quality Pasta: Select high-quality spaghetti with good texture to ensure the best final result and prevent mushy consistency during baking.

Balance Cheese Mixture: Whisk cream cheese and sour cream thoroughly to create a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats pasta evenly without separation.

Prevent Overcooking: Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, maintaining ideal al dente texture and preventing sogginess.

Customize Cheese Topping: Layer cheeses strategically for maximum melting potential, mixing mozzarella and Parmesan to create a golden, crispy exterior with rich, complex flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg