Description
This baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole brings together tender pasta with a rich, creamy sauce and melted cheese in one comforting dish. Your family will love how the tangy cream cheese layer adds incredible flavor to this easy bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 350F and position a rack in the center position.
- Cook 8 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly in a colander.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and soften 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature for easier blending.
- Whisk ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the cream cheese until smooth.
- Pour 1 cup marinara sauce into the cream cheese mixture and stir until completely incorporated.
- Add drained spaghetti to the sauce and gently fold until every strand is evenly coated.
- Spread the saucy pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even surface.
- Sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella cheese and ½ cup Parmesan cheese across the entire top.
- Bake uncovered at 350F for exactly 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes if spaghetti isn’t your favorite or available.
- For a protein boost, add cooked ground beef, chicken, or Italian sausage to the mixture before baking.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking that your marinara sauce is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 755 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg