Creamy Spaghetti Casserole
Cream cheese makes this spaghetti casserole creamy and flavorful. It’s a great casserole to make for a crowd!
This creamy spaghetti casserole is a cozy, comforting dish that comes together with simple pantry ingredients. The cream cheese melts into the marinara and beef mixture, making the sauce rich and silky, and the baked cheese on top gives it that irresistible casserole finish.
It’s an easy dinner to make for family or friends, and it reheats well for leftovers. If you need something hearty that doesn’t take much effort, this is a great go-to recipe.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Creamy and comforting. Cream cheese blends into the sauce for extra richness.
Great for feeding a group. Simple ingredients stretch into a hearty baked pasta.
Flexible and forgiving. Use your favorite marinara and cheese blend.
Ingredient Notes
- Spaghetti: Cook just to al dente so it holds up during baking.
- Ground beef: Adds heartiness and flavor; brown well for best results.
- Onion and garlic: Simple aromatics that build flavor.
- Cream cheese: The key to the creamy texture.
- Marinara sauce: Use a jar you enjoy—flavor varies by brand.
- Oregano: Adds a classic Italian note.
- Mozzarella: Half melts into the casserole; half becomes the golden top layer.
- Parmesan: Adds salty, cheesy depth.
Steps to Make Creamy Spaghetti Casserole
- Cook the spaghetti until al dente and drain.
- Brown the beef in a deep skillet or Dutch oven.
- Add onion and cook until softened.
- Stir in garlic briefly.
- Add the cream cheese and mix until melted and combined.
- Add marinara and oregano and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in half the mozzarella and the cooked spaghetti.
- Transfer to a greased casserole dish.
- Top with Parmesan and remaining mozzarella.
- Bake until bubbly and lightly browned.
Tips for Creamy Spaghetti Casserole
- Salt your pasta water well for the best flavor.
- Let the beef brown undisturbed to develop a richer flavor.
- Use block mozzarella for better melting than pre-shredded.
- Let the casserole rest a few minutes before serving so it firms up slightly.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy version. Add crushed red pepper or use hot Italian sausage.
- Veggie boost. Stir in mushrooms, spinach, or diced bell peppers.
- Cheesy blend. Try adding provolone or fontina with the mozzarella.
- Meat swap. Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of beef.
- Baked spaghetti pie. Mix in two beaten eggs for a firmer sliceable casserole.
Sides To Serve With a Spaghetti Casserole
- Tossed salad with Italian salad dressing.
- Coleslaw.
- Garlic bread.
- Broccoli salad.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store in a covered container for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm in the oven or microwave; add a bit of marinara if it seems dry.
Freeze: Freeze before or after baking for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Creamy Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 24 to 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 F and lightly grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish.
- Put 3 quarts of water in a large saucepan with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and boil following the package directions for al dente pasta. Drain the spaghetti.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and let it cook, undisturbed, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until a brown crust is formed.
- Break the beef up, add the onions, and cook, stirring, for about 4 minutes longer. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the cream cheese to the beef mixture and cook until well combined. Add the marinara sauce and oregano and bring to a simmer; simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add half of the mozzarella cheese and the drained pasta.
- Turn the mixture into the baking dish and top with the Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is browned.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
