Quick Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is the ultimate cozy comfort food — creamy, cheesy, saucy, and full of rich flavor. Tender spaghetti is tossed in a velvety cream cheese sauce, layered with savory meat sauce, topped with melted mozzarella, and baked to perfection. It’s a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing meal that feels indulgent but comes together with simple ingredients.
Servings & Timing
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients List
For the Pasta Base:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt for boiling
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Topping:
- 1–1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the Spaghetti
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Sauce
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream (or yogurt), Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Toss the warm spaghetti in this cream cheese mixture until fully coated.
3. Cook the Meat Sauce
- In a skillet, cook ground beef/turkey over medium heat until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add marinara sauce, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5 minutes.
4. Assemble the Dish
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread half of the meat sauce in a baking dish.
- Add all the cream cheese spaghetti on top.
- Pour the remaining meat sauce over the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
6. Serve
- Let rest for 5 minutes to set.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy creamy baked perfection.
Additional Notes
- For extra creaminess, add 2 tablespoons of milk to the cream cheese mixture.
- You can swap spaghetti with penne or linguine.
- Use your favorite marinara flavor — garlic, basil, roasted pepper, etc.
Dietary Info (Approx per serving)
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 29g
- Carbs: 42g
- Diet Type: Family-Friendly, High-Protein Variation Available
Flavor Tips & Variations
- Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon chili paste.
- Extra Cheesy: Add a layer of ricotta between the spaghetti and meat sauce.
- Veggie Boost: Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to the meat sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cream cheese → Neufchâtel or Greek yogurt for lighter version
- Ground beef → Ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based meat
- Mozzarella → Italian blend or provolone
Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions
- High-Protein Version: Use protein pasta + Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Italian Bake: Add pepperoni, olives, and basil.
- Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or sautéed veggies.
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Refrigerate: Up to 4 days
- Freeze: Up to 2 months (best before baking)
- Reheat: 350°F for 10–12 minutes or microwave in portions
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but full-fat gives the creamiest texture.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Use marinara + sautéed veggies instead of meat.
