Go Back
A bubbling baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole topped with golden, melted mozzarella and Parmesan, sprinkled with fresh parsley and baked until beautifully browned around the edges.

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole with al dente pasta, a seasoned cream cheese layer, hearty meat sauce, and melted mozzarella-Parmesan topping. Ultimate comfort food.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
  • 16 oz dry spaghetti
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz high-quality marinara sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • For the Cream Cheese Layer
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • For the Topping
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese freshly grated
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot, large skillet, 9×13-inch baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and toss with olive oil. Spread in the baking dish.
  3. Brown ground beef with onion; drain grease. Add garlic, cook 1 minute, then stir in marinara and simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Beat softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Spread over the spaghetti.
  5. Pour meat sauce over the cream cheese layer. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  6. Bake uncovered 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  7. Rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

Fully soften the cream cheese for the smoothest layer. Undercook the pasta slightly. Rest before serving for cleaner slices. Excellent for make-ahead and leftovers.