I absolutely love comfort food, and this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is one of my all-time favorites.
It’s cheesy, creamy, and packed with rich flavors—perfect for feeding a hungry family or impressing guests at a potluck.
This dish combines the best parts of spaghetti and lasagna into one irresistible casserole that everyone will be asking for seconds!
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Course: MainCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy to Moderate8
servings15
minutes30
minutes450
kcalIngredients
12 ounce spaghetti
1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
1 jar (24 ounce) marinara sauce
8 ounce cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the marinara sauce to the cooked beef. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until fully coated.
- Layer the spaghetti mixture into the baking dish.
- Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake the Casserole:
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble this casserole a day ahead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Simply add 10 extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
- Storage Suggestions: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Customization Options: Add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for added nutrition, or use spicy sausage for an extra kick.