Quick & Creamy Spaghetti Bake Recipe: Family-Favorite Comfort Dish

Creamy spaghetti bake brings comfort and warmth to any dinner table, crafting ordinary pasta into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a rich and satisfying dish that promises pure indulgence.

Pasta lovers will appreciate the luxurious textures and harmonious flavors melding together in this delightful casserole.

Melted cheese and smooth sauce envelop tender noodles, delivering a mouthwatering sensation that appeals to both family and friends.

Weeknight meals need not be mundane when you can elevate simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Home cooks seeking a reliable crowd-pleaser will find this recipe both accessible and impressive.

Gather your ingredients and prepare for a delicious journey that celebrates classic comfort food with a modern twist.

Why Creamy Spaghetti Bake Is an Easy Favorite

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This spaghetti bake delivers ultimate comfort food with its rich, velvety texture that blends perfectly seasoned ground beef and silky cream cheese-coated pasta.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: The recipe requires minimal prep time and uses basic ingredients, making it an ideal solution for busy families seeking a delicious, hassle-free dinner that comes together in under an hour.
• Create Layered Flavor Explosion: Each bite offers a delightful combination of meaty marinara sauce, garlic-infused creamy spaghetti, and a crispy parmesan cheese topping that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients You Need for Spaghetti Bake Night

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base for the dish, choose lean cuts for less grease.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Adds robust flavor and moisture to the ground beef mixture.

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta shape that absorbs creamy flavors, choose high-quality pasta for best texture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, rich coating for pasta, room temperature helps it melt easily.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, salty finish and golden crust, freshly grated recommended.

• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that adds depth and traditional Italian flavor.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic warmth and complexity to the dish, fresh minced preferred.

• Water: Used for boiling pasta to perfect al dente texture.

How to Make a Creamy Spaghetti Bake at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven Kick things off by cranking your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Brown the Savory Beef Grab a skillet and start sizzling your ground beef over medium heat. Cook until the meat transforms into a delicious golden brown. Tip out any extra grease, then splash in your spaghetti sauce, mixing it thoroughly with the beef. Let this flavor-packed mixture hang out to the side.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta Action Bring a massive pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop in your spaghetti and cook exactly as the package suggests until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Step 4: Create Creamy Magic Time to transform your pasta! Toss in the cream cheese, sprinkle in:

• Italian seasoning
• Minced garlic

Stir with gusto until the cream cheese melts completely and hugs each strand of spaghetti.

Step 5: Layer Your Masterpiece Spread a thin blanket of meat sauce across the bottom of your baking dish. Gently layer the dreamy cream cheese spaghetti on top. Crown it with the remaining meat sauce. Finish by showering parmesan cheese across the surface.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection Slide your creation into the waiting oven. Bake for 30 minutes until the edges bubble with excitement and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving up this comfort food champion.

Tips for a Rich, Cheesy Spaghetti Bake

• Select the Right Pasta: Choose spaghetti with good texture that holds sauce well, avoiding overcooking to maintain a perfect al dente consistency.
• Master Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly cooked and fully crumbled, draining excess fat completely for a lighter, less greasy dish.
• Cream Cheese Melting Trick: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature and stir vigorously to create a smooth, creamy coating for the spaghetti.
• Layering Technique: Spread sauce evenly in the bottom of the dish to prevent sticking and create a rich, flavorful base for the bake.
• Cheese Topping Perfection: Grate fresh parmesan just before sprinkling to enhance melting and add a crisp, golden top layer during baking.

Save and Reheat Spaghetti Bake Like a Pro

• Refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly stored spaghetti bake will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Reheating Options: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture and restore the creamy texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap the cooled spaghetti bake tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with Creamy Spaghetti Bake

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Italian Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty spaghetti bake. The wine's acidity cuts through the creamy cheese and balances the hearty beef sauce.
• Crisp Caesar Salad Companion: Serve alongside a zesty Caesar salad with fresh romaine, tangy dressing, and crunchy croutons. The salad's lightness provides a refreshing contrast to the heavy, comforting pasta dish.
• Garlic Bread Magic: Add warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide extra texture. Toasted slices with crispy edges will enhance the overall dining experience and add a satisfying crunch.
• Cool Pinot Grigio Option: For white wine lovers, a chilled Pinot Grigio offers a crisp, clean alternative that won't overpower the dish's rich flavors. Its subtle citrus notes will brighten the meal and cleanse the palate.

New Twists on Classic Spaghetti Bake

• Spicy Beef Spaghetti Fusion: Replace Italian seasoning with chili powder and add diced jalapeños for a kick of heat. Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before baking for extra spiciness.
• Mediterranean Veggie Blast: Swap ground beef with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and use oregano instead of Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Chicken Alfredo Bake Remix: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken and replace spaghetti sauce with alfredo sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese for a creamy, rich alternative to the original recipe.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles. Keep the cream cheese and meat sauce, but reduce baking time to prevent zucchini from becoming watery. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added freshness.

Creamy Spaghetti Bake Delight Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy Spaghetti Bake Delight brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with layers of rich pasta, velvety cheese, and savory sauce. This hearty casserole promises a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth and flavor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound (453 grams) lean ground beef
• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti

Dairy Ingredients:

• 1 8-ounce (226 grams) package cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 26-ounce (737 grams) jar prepared spaghetti sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), positioning the rack in the center. Generously coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking vessel with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, crumble and sauté the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small fragments. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to rich brown, approximately 7-9 minutes. Meticulously drain accumulated fat using a colander.
3. Return the skillet to the stove and introduce spaghetti sauce into the cooked beef. Stir thoroughly, allowing the flavors to meld and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Simultaneously, fill a capacious pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge spaghetti and cook according to package recommendations until perfectly tender yet firm, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain pasta, reserving the pot.
5. Within the same pot, combine cooked spaghetti with softened cream cheese, freshly minced garlic, and aromatic Italian seasoning. Gently fold ingredients until cream cheese completely dissolves and uniformly coats each pasta strand.
6. Craft the initial foundation by spreading a thin layer of meat sauce across the baking dish’s bottom. Delicately arrange the cream-infused spaghetti atop this sauce, then lavishly cover with remaining meat sauce.
7. Generously sprinkle grated parmesan cheese across the surface, ensuring even distribution. Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the edges bubble enthusiastically and the cheese develops a tempting golden-brown hue. Remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Creamy comfort food that combines classic spaghetti with a rich, cheesy twist perfect for family dinners.
• Ensure ground beef is fully browned and drained to prevent excess grease and maintain a clean, robust flavor profile.
• Cream cheese creates an unexpected silky texture that transforms traditional spaghetti into a luxurious baked casserole.
• Grated parmesan adds a delightful golden crust and sharp, salty finish when baked until slightly crispy.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven for 15-20 minutes to maintain the original texture.
• Make-ahead friendly dish that can be assembled earlier and refrigerated before baking, perfect for busy weeknight meals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg