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Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is the dish I reach for whenever comfort food cravings hit hard. It is rich with savory ground beef and creamy sauce, finished with a golden blanket of parmesan that brings family running to the table. Each bite is as cozy as the next exactly what you look forward to at the end of a long day.
The first time I made this everyone came back to the kitchen for seconds. Now it appears every few weeks by demand because of how simple and satisfying it is.
Ingredients
- Dried spaghetti: I grab a standard box and use most of it. Check for bronze cut or rough textured pasta if you want the sauce to cling better
- Lean ground beef: Choose a cut with less fat for a lighter casserole and easier draining
- Prepared tomato based spaghetti sauce: Jarred or homemade both shine. Look for one with a short ingredient list for best flavor
- Italian seasoning: A little goes a long way to provide warmth and aroma
- Fresh garlic: Freshly minced makes a difference versus jarred paste
- Cream cheese: Use full fat for the creamiest texture. Let it come all the way to room temp for smooth mixing
- Parmesan cheese: Always grate fresh if you can. It melts better and gives a nutty crust
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your oven to 175C while you gather ingredients and tools. Lightly oil your baking dish so nothing sticks later
- Brown the Beef:
- Add ground beef to a skillet over medium heat. Break up the meat and move it often until browned everywhere and no pink remains. Drain any fat so the sauce stays light and never greasy
- Build the Meat Sauce:
- Combine the browned beef and all the spaghetti sauce in the pan. Add Italian seasoning. Stir to blend and simmer just one to two minutes for flavors to mingle. Pull off heat and let rest
- Cook and Drain Pasta:
- Fill a large saucepan with water and a big pinch of salt. Bring to rapid boil. Drop in dried spaghetti and cook until just tender or al dente. Drain pasta thoroughly so the sauce will stick later
- Mix Pasta Base:
- While the pasta is still piping hot place it in a large bowl. Add in chunks of room temp cream cheese and the minced garlic. Toss quickly until the cheese melts and coats spaghetti in a creamy layer
- Assemble Casserole:
- Spoon just enough meat sauce to coat the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly arrange your creamy spaghetti over top. Top pasta with all remaining sauce smoothing gently for even coverage
- Finish With Cheese and Bake:
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese all over the surface. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Watch for the topping to turn golden and the sauce to bubble at the edges
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Cream cheese is my favorite ingredient here. It gives such silkiness to the warm pasta and my youngest says it is the secret why baked pasta is suddenly her favorite dinner. My family always jokes that the cheesier the better and this recipe never disappoints when big flavor is the goal.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat add a splash of water or sauce so everything stays moist instead of drying out. This casserole works just as well portioned into lunchboxes for hearty next day meals
Ingredient Substitutions
You can swap ground turkey or Italian sausage for beef if you want a twist or a lighter flavor. Use gluten free spaghetti to make it celiac friendly. For a vegetarian option skip the meat and layer with sautéed mushrooms and spinach for depth
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Serving Suggestions
Pair this baked spaghetti with a simple green salad and garlic bread for a classic Italian American meal. A drizzle of good olive oil and a little black pepper at the table makes adults happy too
Cultural Context
Baked spaghetti is an Italian American creation that blends the tradition of pasta al forno with American style casseroles. Adding cream cheese is a delicious nod to the comfort food sensibility in home kitchens here
FAQs About the Recipe
- → What's the easiest way to stop cream cheese from getting chunky in the noodles?
Let the cream cheese warm up on the counter, then stir it right into your steaming hot spaghetti. Keep stirring so it melts and spreads out nice and smooth.
- → Can I swap the beef for something else?
Definitely. Try ground chicken, plant-based crumbles, or turkey. Just tweak your spices to taste good with whatever you pick.
- → Which spaghetti sauce should I use for this?
Anything tomatoey with Italian herbs works great, but really, just go with your favorite sauce from the store or your own kitchen.
- → Should I throw foil over the casserole while it bakes?
Skip the foil. Leave it open in the oven so you get that delicious crispy cheese on top.
- → Any tips for warming this up later?
Pop leftovers in the oven or microwave till hot. Add a splash of sauce or water first if it looks dry.