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Is there anything more comforting than a warm, cheesy pasta bake straight from the oven? This baked cream cheese spaghetti casserole is total comfort food bliss. We’re talking tender spaghetti noodles tossed in a luscious cream cheese sauce, layered with meaty marinara and smothered in bubbly mozzarella and parmesan. Every bite is downright indulgent and insanely satisfying.
As the weather cools down, I find myself craving hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals like this more than ever. There’s something so cozy about digging into a cheesy pasta casserole fresh from the oven. The flavors are rich and nostalgic, yet it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug.
I’ll never forget the first time I made this cream cheese spaghetti bake. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect by tossing the hot noodles with a block of cream cheese. But that first heavenly forkful had me utterly hooked! The cream cheese melts down into the most impossibly creamy, velvety sauce that coats every last strand of pasta.
Combine that with zesty marinara, savory beef and piles of gooey cheese, and you’ve got magic.
This casserole has become a staple in our house for busy weeknights, potlucks and team dinners. You can easily make a big pan to feed a hungry crowd. Plus, the leftovers reheat beautifully for lazy nights when you need a cozy meal with zero fuss.
Let me walk you through all the deliciously cheesy details!
What You’ll Need
- Spaghetti: The perfect al dente noodle base to soak up the cream cheese sauce
- Cream Cheese: Melts into an epically rich, velvety sauce binder
- Marinara: I use a high-quality jarred marinara to keep things easy
- Ground Beef: Gives savory meaty flavors and hearty texture
- Italian Seasoning & Garlic: Layers of aromatic, punchy notes
- Mozzarella & Parmesan: You can never have too much cheesy goodness!
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 24 oz jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 8 oz cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
