Heavenly Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Delight Recipe for Tonight

Saucy comfort food meets creamy indulgence with this baked cream cheese spaghetti delight recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Layers of tender pasta intertwine with rich, velvety cream cheese, creating a mouthwatering dish that screams pure satisfaction.

The combination of classic ingredients delivers a hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.

Every forkful combines savory and smooth textures that dance across your palate with remarkable harmony.

Melted cheese and perfectly cooked spaghetti merge into a culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Weekend dinners never looked more delicious, and this recipe guarantees to become your new go-to comfort food sensation.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to wow your dinner crowd with this irresistible pasta masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 511 kcal

Servings: 7

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Must-Haves

• Spaghetti Noodles: Choose high-quality pasta with good texture that holds sauce well, look for bronze-cut varieties for extra grip.

• Cream Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Select fresh, full-fat cheeses for rich, smooth melting and deeper flavor profiles, organic options provide superior taste.

• Ground Beef, Marinara Sauce, Italian Seasoning, Minced Garlic: Opt for lean ground beef with minimal fat content, select marinara sauce with robust tomato flavor, use fresh garlic for most authentic taste, choose Italian seasoning blend with balanced herb mixture.

Tools That Make Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese a Breeze

• Large Skillet: Perfect for browning beef and simmering sauce with even heat distribution.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Large Pot: Needed for cooking spaghetti and creating the creamy cheese coating.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring beef, mixing pasta, and spreading sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of Italian seasoning and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting cream cheese into cubes.

Getting That Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Just Right

• Noodle Preparation

Boil spaghetti until perfectly tender, then drain and return to pot for magical mixing.

• Creamy Transformation

Fold cream cheese into steaming noodles, creating a silky smooth coating that hugs each strand.

• Meat Magic

Brown ground beef in a sizzling skillet, infusing the kitchen with irresistible aromas. Sprinkle in garlic and herbs for an extra flavor punch.

• Sauce Symphony

Pour marinara into the beef, letting the flavors dance and mingle for a few delightful minutes.

• Casserole Construction

Layer the bottom of a baking dish with a thin beef sauce blanket. Nestle the creamy noodles on top, then crown with remaining sauce.

• Cheese Finale

Scatter mozzarella and parmesan across the surface like a delicious snow blanket.

• Oven Transformation

Bake until golden and bubbling, allowing the ingredients to become one incredible comfort food masterpiece. Let rest briefly to set the magical layers.

Creamy Tips & Savory Variations You’ll Love

• Mix cream cheese with a splash of milk or heavy cream to create an even smoother, more luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the spaghetti noodles.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, Italian sausage, or plant-based crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences without compromising the dish's creamy texture.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley sprinkled on top just before serving to add brightness and depth to the casserole's robust flavor profile.
• Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time for a convenient make-ahead meal.
• Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to prevent drying out, or create a crispy top by sprinkling additional cheese before reheating for a refreshed dining experience.

Ways to Dish Out Baked Spaghetti

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley on top to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Pair with Crisp Side Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta casserole.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a perfect crunchy accompaniment.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the beef and tomato sauce flavors in this hearty meal.

How to Save That Spaghetti Without Drying It Out

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover spaghetti casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for maximum 2 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Warm it in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for about 20-25 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Add a splash of marinara sauce to prevent dryness.
• Portion and Pack: Divide leftovers into individual serving sizes for convenient grab-and-go meals. Use meal prep containers to keep portions separated and maintain optimal freshness.

Velvety Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade cream cheese spaghetti delight brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this dish a perfect choice for hungry families craving cheesy pasta magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) lean ground beef or turkey
• 12 ounces (340 g) spaghetti noodles
• 24 ounces (680 g) marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a 9×13 inch baking vessel strategically for the upcoming gastronomic journey.
2. Noodle Transformation: Immerse spaghetti in salted water, orchestrating a precise al dente performance. Drain completely and return to the cooking vessel, then seamlessly fold in cream cheese, allowing it to melt and embrace the pasta in a silky caress.
3. Meat Infusion: In a sizzling skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef, eliminating any trace of pink. Introduce Italian seasoning and garlic, awakening a symphony of aromatics. Stream marinara sauce into the mixture, letting flavors dance and intensify during a brief 5-minute simmer.
4. Layering Artistry: Construct a foundational beef and sauce layer in the baking dish. Delicately position the cream cheese-enrobed spaghetti atop this savory base, lavishly draping with the remaining sauce composition.
5. Cheese Crescendo: Shower the surface with mozzarella and parmesan, creating a blanket of dairy decadence that promises a golden, bubbling culmination.
6. Baking Finale: Slide the dish into the heated oven, allowing 30 minutes of transformative culinary magic. The casserole will emerge with crisp-edged perfection and bubbling enthusiasm.
7. Resting Interval: Liberate the creation from the oven, granting a 5-minute respite to settle and harmonize its intricate layers before serving.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook spaghetti al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a satisfying texture that holds up in the baked dish.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add cream cheese to hot pasta immediately to ensure smooth, even melting without clumping.
• Fat Draining Tip: Thoroughly drain ground beef to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy and heavy.
• Flavor Layering Strategy: Let marinara and beef simmer together to develop deep, rich taste before assembling the final casserole.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 511
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 881 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg