Easy Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese (Family Favorite Casserole)

Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

• Comfort food favorite: A cheesy baked pasta casserole that both kids and adults love.
• Extra creamy: Cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese make this baked spaghetti rich and creamy.
• Easy to make: Uses jarred pasta sauce and simple ingredients for a family-friendly dinner.
• Perfect for busy weeknights: Most of the prep happens while the spaghetti cooks.
• Great for feeding a crowd: A 9×13 casserole makes enough for family dinners, potlucks, or leftovers.

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Pasta: Regular spaghetti works best, but thin spaghetti or whole wheat spaghetti can also be used. Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become too soft while baking.
• Ground Beef: I like lean ground beef because it’s better for us, but mostly because I don’t have to drain it. 
• Marinara Sauce: Store brand is great for this, you want a sauce that isn’t too chunky so you have more liquid. 
• Cream Cheese: Let it come to room temperature before mixing for the smoothest texture. If you’re short on time, cut it into small cubes and toss it with the warm spaghetti to help it melt.
• Ricotta Cheese: Either made with whole milk or part-skim milk works well. 
• Cottage Cheese: I like small curd for this because it mixes well and adds some more liquid. 
• Garlic: We buy pre-chopped in the jar. 
• Cheddar Cheese: Sometimes I use pre-shredded and sometimes I grate my own off the block. The freshly grated melts better but if you want to save time go ahead and use packaged shredded cheese. 
• Parmesan Cheese: I almost always have a block on-hand and grate my own. Again, to save time pre-shredded works great too!

How to Make Baked Spaghetti with Cream Cheese

1. Cook spaghetti al dente according to package directions. 
2. While the pasta cooks brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once brown drain fat if not using lean ground beef, add the pasta sauce and cook until nice and hot. 
3. In a large bowl mix the cream cheese, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese and garlic. Add cooked spaghetti and toss to combine. 
4. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and put a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish, just enough to cover it. Add the spaghetti mixture and remaining meat sauce, top with cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. 
5. Bake in a preheated oven, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 

Why Add Cream Cheese to Spaghetti?

Cream cheese melts into the pasta and sauce, creating a rich, creamy texture that makes baked spaghetti extra comforting. It also helps bind the casserole together while adding tangy flavor.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the beef for ground turkey, ground chicken or ground Italian sausage. 
• Replace either the cottage cheese or ricotta cheese with an equal amount of sour cream. 
• Instead of cheddar cheese use mozzarella cheese.
• Add a bit of Italian seasoning, anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon.
• For a little kick add some crushed red pepper flakes, depending on how spicy you like things this could be a pinch or a teaspoon or two. 
• Cook chopped onion or green pepper in with the ground beef, about ½ cup. 
• Since all of the cheeses in this dish come in low-fat versions that is what we use most of the time to try to keep the calorie count as low as possible.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover baked spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

We reheat this in the microwave. It can be warmed in the oven covered in aluminum foil.

What to Serve with Baked Spaghetti

Serve this baked spaghetti with cream cheese alongside garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. My family loves it with Texas Toast Garlic Bread, Baguette Garlic Bread, or Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Bread when we need a shortcut. For vegetables, try Italian Roasted Broccoli or Pan Fried Green Beans. An Italian Style Salad is another easy side that pairs perfectly with this cheesy pasta casserole.

Make These Pasta Casseroles Next!

• Vodka Sauce Baked Ziti
• Easy Lasagna with Jar Sauce
• Beef Stuffed Pasta Shells