Is there anything more comforting than a warm, cheesy pasta bake straight from the oven? This baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole is total comfort food bliss. We’re talking tender spaghetti noodles tossed in a luscious cream cheese sauce, layered with meaty marinara and smothered in bubbly mozzarella and parmesan. Every bite is downright indulgent and insanely satisfying.
As the weather cools down, I find myself craving hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals like this more than ever. There’s something so cozy about digging into a cheesy pasta casserole fresh from the oven. The flavors are rich and nostalgic, yet it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug.
I’ll never forget the first time I made this cream cheese spaghetti bake. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect by tossing the hot noodles with a block of cream cheese. But that first heavenly forkful had me utterly hooked! The cream cheese melts down into the most impossibly creamy, velvety sauce that coats every last strand of pasta. Combine that with zesty marinara, savory beef and piles of gooey cheese, and you’ve got magic.
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This casserole has become a staple in our house for busy weeknights, potlucks and team dinners. You can easily make a big pan to feed a hungry crowd. Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully for lazy nights when you need a cozy meal with zero fuss. Let me walk you through all the deliciously cheesy details!
What You’ll Need
- Spaghetti: The perfect al dente noodle base to soak up the cream cheese sauce
- Cream Cheese: Melts into an epically rich, velvety sauce binder
- Marinara: I use a high-quality jarred marinara to keep things easy
- Ground Beef: Gives savory meaty flavors and hearty texture
- Italian Seasoning & Garlic: Layers of aromatic, punchy notes
- Mozzarella & Parmesan: You can never have too much cheesy goodness!
How It’s Done
- Cook spaghetti al dente, drain and immediately toss with cubed cream cheese to melt into a luscious sauce.
- Brown ground beef with Italian seasoning and garlic, then mix in marinara sauce.
- Layer a bit of the beef sauce in a baking dish, then top with the cream cheese spaghetti.
- Cover with remaining beef sauce and piles of shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake until hot, gooey and fragrant.
The Simple Tips
- Cook spaghetti very al dente since it will continue baking in the oven
- Mix cubed cream cheese into the hot pasta in batches until fully melted and combined
- Let casserole stand 5 minutes before serving so sauce can set up slightly
- Use your favorite jarred marinara or sub in homemade for best flavor
- Reheat leftovers with a splash of broth or milk to revive that luscious, creamy consistency
This baked spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food for carb lovers! It’s shamelessly indulgent and insanely satisfying. The textures and flavors are so on point – from the cheesy cream sauce to the beefy marinara and those crispy golden cheese edges. Absolutely irresistible!
Serve it up with a fresh green salad and garlic knots for soaking up every last drop of that luxurious cream cheese sauce. Or keep things casual by enjoying it straight from the baking dish with nothing but a fork. No judgement here!
I can’t wait for you to try this cream cheese spaghetti casserole for yourself. It’s downright crave-worthy and perfect for feeding a crowd. Just don’t be surprised if you catch people going back for third helpings of its dreamy cheesy goodness! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 24 oz jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 8 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook spaghetti al dente according to package instructions. Drain and return to pot.
- Add cubed cream cheese to hot spaghetti and toss until fully coated and melted into a creamy sauce.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add Italian seasoning and garlic to beef. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of beef marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Top with cream cheese coated spaghetti, then remaining beef marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
