Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole
This baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole combines spaghetti, ground beef, tomato sauce, and a creamy cheese blend for a hearty, oven-baked pasta dish ideal for make-ahead dinners and family gatherings.
12 Servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dried spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 28-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch garlic salt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Nonstick cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
- Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish using nonstick spray or olive oil.
Boil the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, approximately 11–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the meat sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly, about 5–7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Add the spaghetti sauce to the skillet, stir well to combine, and reduce heat to a low simmer while preparing the pasta mixture.
Mix the pasta and cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm, drained spaghetti with the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of garlic salt. Stir until the cream cheese is completely melted and evenly coats the pasta.
Assemble the casserole:
- Spread a small amount of the meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cream cheese pasta over the sauce. Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses.
Bake the casserole:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling at the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the spaghetti with your favorite certified gluten-free pasta. Additionally, confirm that the spaghetti sauce and all seasonings used are gluten-free, as some may contain hidden sources of gluten or be processed in shared facilities.