Description
This Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting pasta dish perfect for a family dinner. Combining tender spaghetti with a rich cream cheese mixture and hearty marinara sauce, topped with a melty blend of mozzarella and Parmesan, it’s baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour. A delightful twist on traditional spaghetti that will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dish evenly.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain well to remove excess water.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Seasonings: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti and marinara sauce into the cream cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the spaghetti mixture.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let the baked spaghetti cool for a few minutes to set before serving to enhance flavor and prevent burns.
Notes
- You can use any marinara sauce brand or homemade sauce for better flavor and control over ingredients.
- For added protein, mix in cooked ground beef or sausage with the sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances flavor compared to pre-grated.
- Cover with foil during baking if the cheese browns too quickly and remove foil in the last 5 minutes to finish browning.
- This recipe is easy to double for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: baked spaghetti, cream cheese pasta, cheesy spaghetti, Italian casserole, easy dinner recipe, baked pasta
