Description
The ultimate comfort food! This baked spaghetti with creamy cheese sauce is rich, satisfying, and perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
3 cups marinara sauce (or meat sauce)
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente; drain well.
While pasta is still warm, stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and noodles are evenly coated.
In a skillet, cook ground beef or sausage (if using) until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and seasonings.
Spread half of the sauce in the prepared baking dish.
Layer the creamy spaghetti on top, then cover with remaining sauce.
Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly with golden edges.
Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Use penne, rigatoni, or rotini instead of spaghetti for variety.
Light cream cheese and whole wheat pasta make it a lighter option.
Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for a veggie boost.
Assemble ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta Bake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
