Creamy Cheesy Spaghetti Bake
Creamy Cheesy Spaghetti Bake brings together all the beloved elements of a traditional spaghetti dinner—with the indulgent addition of rich cheeses and a creamy sauce layered into a bubbly, golden casserole. It’s the perfect weeknight meal to satisfy the whole family.
Love Italian-inspired comfort food like Spaghetti Carbonara or Lasagna Roll-Ups? Then this cheesy baked version of spaghetti is a must-add to your recipe rotation. For an extra creamy twist, pair it with this easy homemade Ricotta.
⭐ Why You’ll Love It
Hearty, family-friendly, and packed with Italian flavor—this dish takes simple pantry staples and transforms them into a creamy, comforting spaghetti casserole the whole table will rave about. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly and easy to make ahead.
🧂 Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 lb spaghetti, broken in half before boiling
Sauce:
- 2 jars (24 oz each) of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce (or homemade if preferred)
Meat Mixture:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 How to Make It
- Cook Pasta:
Boil spaghetti as directed, then drain and return to the pot. Mix in one jar of pasta sauce and set aside. - Make Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, brown ground meat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour in the second jar of pasta sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat. - Prepare Cheese Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, egg, and Italian seasoning using a hand mixer or spoon until smooth and creamy. - Layer the Casserole:
- Spread half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture in a greased 9×13″ baking dish.
- Top with half the meat sauce.
- Dollop half the cheese mixture and smooth it out.
- Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Repeat layers with remaining ingredients, finishing with a generous topping of cheese.
- Bake:
Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes, until hot and bubbly. For a golden top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end. - Serve:
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad.
💡 Recipe Tips
- Want extra saucy pasta? Keep a third jar of sauce on hand—spaghetti absorbs more than you think!
- Boost flavor with fresh herbs like basil or oregano if your sauce needs a lift.
- For extra richness, stir in a bit of heavy cream to the cheese mixture.
