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Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe

Transform your regular pasta night with this baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole! Layered with al dente pasta, seasoned cream cheese, hearty meat sauce, and melted mozzarella, this dish is the ultimate comforting family dinner.
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Ingredients
  

  • For the Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
  • 16 oz dry spaghetti
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz high-quality marinara sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • For the Cream Cheese Layer
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • For the Topping
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F 175°C. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Boil the pasta
  • Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Add spaghetti to the baking dish
  • Place the cooked spaghetti evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Cook the meat sauce
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
  • Add garlic and marinara
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the marinara sauce and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Prepare the cream cheese mixture
  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth.
  • Layer the casserole
  • Gently spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooked spaghetti.
  • Add the meat sauce
  • Pour the meat sauce evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  • Add the cheese topping
  • Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake
  • Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  • Rest and serve
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For the smoothest cream cheese layer, make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. This helps it spread evenly over the spaghetti and creates a creamy, rich texture throughout the casserole.