Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners. Combining creamy cheese, savory meat sauce, and tender spaghetti, it delivers rich flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop the flavors.
5. Step 5: While the meat sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
6. Step 6: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and melted butter.
7. Step 7: Add the grated Parmesan cheese and milk. Stir until smooth and creamy.
8. Step 8: Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
9. Step 9: Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly.
10. Step 10: Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
11. Step 11: Spoon half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer. Spread evenly.
12. Step 12: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
13. Step 13: Repeat the layers with the remaining spaghetti mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
14. Step 14: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through. The top should be lightly golden brown.
15. Step 15: Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add chopped fresh basil or oregano to the meat sauce while it simmers.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef for a lighter option.
• Try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the meat mixture for added vegetables.
• If you prefer a spicier casserole, include a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce.
• Use part-skim mozzarella to reduce fat without sacrificing meltiness.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot, or warm the whole casserole in a 350 degrees F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baked cold.

What type of cream cheese should I use?

Use regular cream cheese softened to room temperature for the creamiest texture. Low-fat or whipped cream cheese can be used but may alter the creaminess slightly.

Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 132 reviews

Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and creamy baked pasta dish combining tender spaghetti, rich cream cheese sauce, savory ground beef with vegetables, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this casserole offers a delicious layered medley of Italian-inspired flavors baked to bubbly perfection.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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Pasta and Sauce Layers

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

Cream Cheese Mixture

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Topping

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon until fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
2. Cook Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
3. Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture.
4. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Cook Spaghetti: While the meat sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well to remove excess water.
6. Make Cream Cheese Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and melted butter, stirring until smooth and blended.
7. Add Parmesan and Milk: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and milk to the cream cheese mixture until creamy and smooth.
8. Season Cream Sauce: Add garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed to achieve a balanced flavor.
9. Combine Spaghetti and Cream Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture. Toss gently to evenly coat all noodles with the creamy sauce.
10. First Layer in Dish: Pour half of the coated spaghetti into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread out evenly to form the first layer.
11. Add Meat Sauce Layer: Spoon half of the simmered meat sauce over the spaghetti layer and spread evenly with a spoon.
12. Sprinkle Mozzarella: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce layer to add cheesy richness.
13. Repeat Layers: Repeat the process by layering the remaining spaghetti mixture, then the remaining meat sauce, and finally top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
14. Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled casserole for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown on top, and the casserole is heated through.
15. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before slicing and serving. This helps the layers firm up for cleaner portions.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, substitute diced tomatoes and green chilies with a spicy variety or add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
• You can prepare the meat sauce and cream cheese mixture in advance to save time on cooking day.
• To make this dish lighter, use reduced-fat cream cheese and mozzarella cheese or omit the butter.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini when cooking the meat sauce for additional flavor and nutrition.

Keywords: cream cheese spaghetti casserole, baked spaghetti, ground beef casserole, easy spaghetti bake, creamy pasta casserole