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Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

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This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—rich, creamy, and baked to golden perfection. It’s a delicious twist on classic spaghetti that combines savory ground meat with a velvety cream cheese mixture and marinara sauce, all topped with gooey melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or casual gatherings.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground turkey
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Spaghetti:
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
    Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
    Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
    Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes.
    Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    Add ground beef or turkey, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.
    Drain excess fat.
    Add marinara sauce, stir well, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Make the Cream Cheese Mixture:
    In a large bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese and milk until smooth.
    Stir in Italian herbs if using.
    Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl and gently mix until all strands are coated.
  4. Assemble the Casserole:
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
    Layer half of the cream cheese spaghetti over the sauce.
    Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce on top.
    Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and a bit of Parmesan.
    Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sauce, and cheeses.
  5. Bake:
    Cover the dish loosely with foil.
    Bake for 25 minutes.
    Remove foil and bake for another 10–12 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
    Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon if desired.

Use chicken ham in place of ham if adapting another version.

Always replace pork with beef where necessary.

No wine or alcohol is used in this dish.

For extra flavor, you can add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to the meat sauce.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 35

Find it online: https://recipesmars.com/2025/08/baked-cream-cheese-spaghetti-casserole-2/