Bring comfort to your kitchen with this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti recipe, where creamy layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melty cheese come together in one irresistible dish.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping for a cozy night in, this casserole-style meal delivers bold flavor and soul-soothing satisfaction. The creamy twist of cream cheese and sour cream makes every bite melt in your mouth.
Ideal for make-ahead dinners, potlucks, or any night you want something hearty and homey, this baked spaghetti will become a go-to favorite in no time.
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Melty Cheese
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti transforms a familiar pasta dish into something extraordinary. The smooth mixture of cream cheese and sour cream adds richness, while the baked layers of beefy marinara and gooey cheese seal the deal.
The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare and even better the next day. With its blend of textures and flavors, this dish feels both indulgent and welcoming.
Serving Suggestions:
Pro Tips for the Creamiest Baked Spaghetti
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before mixing. It blends more easily with the pasta this way.
- Undercook the Pasta Slightly: Since it bakes later, slightly undercooking the spaghetti helps it stay firm and not mushy.
- Mix While Warm: Toss the warm pasta into the cream cheese mixture while it's still hot so it melts smoothly and coats evenly.
- Cover When Baking: Cover the dish at first to lock in moisture, then uncover for the last 10 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Let It Rest: Give the casserole a few minutes to cool before serving. This helps the layers settle and makes slicing easier.

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Recipe
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Equipment: 9x13-inch baking dish, large pot, large skillet, mixing bowls
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a crowd-pleasing twist on a timeless classic.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the spaghetti until al dente, following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in marinara sauce and let everything simmer for 5 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Mix the Cream Base: In a separate large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth.
- Coat the Pasta: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until evenly coated.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the creamy spaghetti into the baking dish. Top with half the meat sauce, then sprinkle on half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheeses to form a second layer.
- Bake and Brown: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
Ready to Relish!
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is everything you want in a comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and full of rich, meaty flavor. It’s the perfect dish for feeding a crowd or enjoying cozy leftovers.
Storage Solutions:
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake covered at 350°F until warmed through or microwave individual portions. You can also freeze the baked spaghetti for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
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Best Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti is a crowd-pleasing twist on a timeless classic.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
-
12 ounces spaghetti
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 pound ground beef
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
-
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
-
½ cup sour cream
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
-
Cook the Pasta: Boil the spaghetti until al dente, following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
-
Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
-
Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant, about 3 minutes.
-
Simmer the Sauce: Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in marinara sauce and let everything simmer for 5 minutes to deepen the flavor.
-
Mix the Cream Base: In a separate large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth.
-
Coat the Pasta: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the cream cheese mixture until evenly coated.
-
Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the creamy spaghetti into the baking dish. Top with half the meat sauce, then sprinkle on half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
-
Repeat Layers: Add the remaining spaghetti, sauce, and cheeses to form a second layer.
-
Bake and Brown: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
-
Cool and Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes






