This easy oven baked spaghetti casserole with cream cheese is comforting, creamy, and delicious! It's the perfect weeknight family dinner recipe, but will also impress your guests at your next dinner party!
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My boyfriend and I love making this spaghetti pasta bake for Sunday night dinner because there are always leftovers, and it makes weeknight dinners simple for the next few days of the busy work week!
It's so simple to make and the best comforting dish during the cool months! Another spaghetti casserole you may like is this pizza spaghetti casserole too!
If you love comforting pasta casseroles, then you should also try this Italian sausage and spinach pasta bake, ricotta and mozzarella penne pasta bake and cheesy Italian sausage tortellini casserole recipe!
I also have a couple of cream sauce pasta bakes you should check out, including this chicken and mushroom pasta casserole and this mozzarella and pesto tortellini pasta bake.
This cherry tomato sauce spaghetti recipe is another delicious pasta dish that you may enjoy too!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy: This recipe is simple to make with less than 10 ingredients!
- Leftovers: It makes a 9x13 baking dish, so there will likely be delicious leftovers you can reheat for dinner the next couple of days and forget weeknight cooking!
- Comforting: It's cheesy and creamy and will keep you warm and full during the cool months!
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to cook the beef.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef makes this pasta dish super hearty and flavourful.
- Marinara/Tomato Sauce: You can make this recipe quickly with store-bought sauce or make your own homemade tomato sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: To flavour the dish. If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can substitute it by mixing together equal parts of dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese makes the pasta creamy but must be softened in order to mix it into the spaghetti easily!
- Garlic: Freshly shredded or minced garlic adds a ton of flavour but garlic powder will also work if you don't have fresh!
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps enhance the dish's overall flavour.
- Spaghetti: Spaghetti is used to make this dish, but you can use any of your favourite pasta noodles in it!
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella makes the dish super cheesy and appealing!
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan on medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the fat and return the beef to the pan with the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Mix on low for 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat.
Step 3. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, but cook it for a couple of minutes less than specified (so it doesn't overcook when it bakes). Drain the pasta and immediately mix in the softened cream cheese, garlic, and salt.
Step 4. Spread 2 cups of the sauce in a 9x13 baking dish, top with the spaghetti, top with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
Step 5. Bake the pasta on the middle rack uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and starts to golden slightly.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftovers covered in plastic wrap or tin foil (once cooled) in the fridge for up to one week.
It can be reheated on microwave-safe plates in the microwave for a couple of minutes or until warm.
Kitchen Equipment
- Frying Pan: for cooking the beef.
- Strainer/Colander: for draining the beef and pasta.
- Large Pot: for cooking the pasta.
- Cheese Grater: for shredding the garlic (alternatively, it can be minced) and mozzarella cheese.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: for measuring the ingredients.
- Baking Dish: A 9x13 baking dish is needed to bake the pasta.
Helpful Tips
- Reserve some pasta water. Adding a few teaspoons of reserved pasta water may be helpful before draining the noodles and using it when you mix the cream cheese with the pasta, as it can be sticky, and the pasta water will help loosen it up.
- Slice the cream cheese. You may find it helpful to cut the cream cheese into a few slices before adding it to the cooked pasta so it melts quicker and will be easier to mix in.
Alternative Ingredients
- Italian Sausage: Hot or mild Italian sausage will substitute the ground beef well and still make the dish hearty and extra flavourful.
- Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese is a great alternative to the cream cheese. It'll be creamy and a bit less tangy.
- Veggies: Consider sauteeing some diced red or green pepper, onions, and or mushrooms with the meat for more flavour, colour, texture, and deliciousness!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, with this recipe, you do not need to cover it while it bakes. This will ensure the cheese will melt and get golden.
The easiest way is to reheat a slice on a microwave-safe plate in the microwave for a couple of minutes or until warm.
Mix together equal parts of dried basil, oregano, and thyme (such as a ¼ teaspoon each).
You can add a couple of teaspoons of reserved pasta water to loosen up the noodles and make it easier for the cream cheese to mix in.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious million dollar spaghetti dish can be easily served using a spatula to slice a piece or tongs.
It pairs deliciously with a simple side salad like this peppery greens salad recipe and some fresh bread like this loaf of bread on the side.
Print📖 Recipe
Easy Oven Baked Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
This easy oven baked spaghetti casserole with cream cheese is easy, delicious, and perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Ground Beef: 1 pound
- Marinara: 5 cups (approx. two 22 oz jars) or make your own tomato sauce
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened/room temperature
- Garlic Clove: 1, minced or shredded
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Spaghetti: 16 oz (1 pound)
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 and ½ cups, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the sauce: Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan on medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the fat and return the beef to the pan with the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Mix on low for 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, but cook it for a couple of minutes less than specified (so it doesn't overcook when it bakes). Drain the pasta and immediately mix in the softened cream cheese, garlic, and salt.
- Assemble the dish: Spread 2 cups of the sauce in a 9x13 baking dish, top with the spaghetti, top with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake the pasta on the middle rack uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and starts to golden slightly.
Notes
Adding a few teaspoons of reserved pasta water may be helpful before draining the noodles and using it when you mix the cream cheese with the pasta, as it can be sticky, and the pasta water will help loosen it up.
You may find it helpful to cut the cream cheese into a few slices before adding it to the cooked pasta so it melts quicker and will be easier to mix in.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: lunch, dinner
- Method: bake, stove top
- Cuisine: italian
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Carlo says
Looks great! Never thought of using spaghetti. I will try this, thanks!